Line protection MCCB with TM240 release
The Siemens 3VA1196-4EF36-0AG0 is a SENTRON 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for line protection duty, carrying a 16 A continuous current (Iu) and a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Breaking capacity reaches 121 kA at 240 V AC and still holds 75.6 kA at 415 V — enough headroom for high-fault utility feeds or transformer secondaries where standard MCBs would cascade. The TM240 release means the thermal pickup is fixed at 16 A with a magnetic trip threshold at 240 A (15× In), suited for protecting cable runs and distribution buswork rather than motor circuits. An integrated auxiliary switch plus trip alarm switch (1 NO + 1 NO HP) provides remote status feedback without an add-on module.
Thermal derating and panel fit
The 16 A rating holds flat up to 50 °C ambient; above that it derates linearly to 14.4 A at 70 °C (the maximum operating temperature). For a panel builder, that means the breaker can sit in a warm enclosure — near a drive or transformer — without upsizing the frame, provided the continuous load stays under the derated curve. The footprint is 76.2 mm wide × 130 mm tall × 70 mm deep, which fits standard 3-pole MCCB mounting patterns on a DIN rail or screw-fixed backplate. Front IP40 protection covers the handle and trip indicator; the line and load lugs are exposed, so finger-safe shrouds are needed if the panel is live-service.