What this MCCB does on your line
The Siemens 3VA1196-4GD46-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 16 A continuous, with a TM210 thermal-magnetic release — meaning overload and short-circuit protection live inside the same compact body, no separate trip unit to source. Four poles handle three-phase-plus-neutral or single-phase multi-wire distribution. The interrupting capacity is what earns it a place in high-fault panels: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, and still 11.9 kA at 690 V, so it stays coordinated upstream of a transformer or large motor branch without needing a current-limiting fuse ahead of it. The 16 A rating holds steady up to 55 °C ambient; above that it derates to 15 A through 70 °C, which is worth checking if this lands in a crowded enclosure next to drives or transformers.
Integration and mounting
Mounts on a DIN rail or direct panel-mount via the screw terminals. The footprint is 101.6 mm wide (4 in) by 130 mm tall (5.12 in) and 70 mm deep (2.76 in) — fits standard MCCB cutouts in a 4-pole configuration. Front protection is IP40, so it's fine inside a closed panel but not for washdown zones. The N-conductor is protected at 100% rating, meaning the neutral pole carries the same thermal-magnetic protection as the phase poles — important for 4-wire distribution where a neutral overload is possible.
Key ratings and what they mean
The TM210 release has an adjustable long-time pickup: the li max. is 320 A, which sets the magnetic trip threshold for short-circuit protection — not the continuous rating. The continuous current (Iu) is fixed at 16 A; that's the number you size the load to. Max power loss at full load is 10.6 W — negligible for panel heat calc but worth noting if you're stacking multiple breakers in a sealed enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. No communication function or ground-fault monitoring on this variant — it's a straight line-protection breaker, no frills. Motor drive option is available as a field-addable accessory if remote tripping is needed later.