What this 3VA1196-4EF32-0HH0 is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1196-4EF32-0HH0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection — meaning it sits on the feeder or distribution side of a panel, not on a motor or device branch. It's a 3-pole unit rated 16 A continuous at 40 °C, and it holds that 16 A rating all the way up to 55 °C before derating to 15 A at 60 °C and above. That's a solid thermal curve for a panel that runs warm; you don't lose headroom until the ambient passes 55 °C.
Breaking capacity — the real selection number
The interrupting rating is the headline here: 121 kA at 240 VAC, 75.6 kA at 415 VAC, 52.5 kA at 440 VAC, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 VAC. That 121 kA at 240 V is a high-fault rating — typical for a transformer-fed service entrance or a large distribution board where the available fault current is substantial. At 415 V, 75.6 kA still covers most industrial switchgear without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The insulation voltage is rated 800 V, so the breaker's internal clearance is designed for 690 V systems.
Physical fit and panel integration
Dimensions: 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth. That 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint — 3 inches exactly. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a backplate via the breaker's own mounting points. The depth at 70 mm means it clears most standard enclosure depths with room for wiring behind the breaker. Power loss at rated current is 10.6 W maximum — negligible for thermal management in a ventilated panel, but worth noting if you're packing multiple breakers into a sealed enclosure.
What's on the nameplate vs what's inside
The supplied basic switch is order code 3VA11964EF320AA0 — that's the internal mechanism. The breaker has a trip indicator (mechanical flag) and a voltage trigger for the shunt trip. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C. The -25 °C lower operating limit means it's fine for unheated electrical rooms in temperate climates, but not for direct outdoor installation in freezing conditions without a heater.