What this MCCB does on the line
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-4GE42-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker rated at a continuous 16 A with a TM220 thermal-magnetic release — the fixed thermal element handles overloads, the magnetic element clears short-circuits. Breaking capacity runs 121 kA at 240 V AC and still holds 75.6 kA at 415 V, so it handles high available fault current on the secondary side of a distribution transformer without needing an upstream current-limiting fuse. Insulation voltage is rated at 800 V, giving headroom for 690 V line-to-line systems. Rated current is flat at 16 A from 40 °C through 55 °C ambient; it only starts to derate at 60 °C (15 A) and holds there through 70 °C. That means in a warm panel — say 50 °C — you get the full 16 A without having to oversize the breaker. Power loss is 10.6 W maximum at rated load. In a densely packed panel that heat adds up; plan ventilation or spacing if you're ganging several of these on a DIN rail.
Mounting and integration notes
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 101.6 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a 4-pole frame that occupies roughly four 18 mm module widths on a DIN rail. Front face carries IP40 protection, so it's fine in a typical IP54 or IP65 enclosure as long as the door gasket handles the rest. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module on this variant — it's a straight line-protection device with a TM220 release.
Breaking capacity by voltage — selectivity planning
Breaking capacity drops as system voltage rises: 121 kA at 240 V, 75.6 kA at 415 V, 52.5 kA at 440 V, and 11.9 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. For a 400 V distribution panel the 75.6 kA figure gives plenty of margin against a typical 50 kA SCCR requirement. At 690 V the 11.9 kA limit is the constraint — verify the available fault current at the point of installation doesn't exceed that.