What this MCCB brings to the panel
The Siemens 3VA1196-5EE32-0AB0 is a SENTRON 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for 16 A continuous at 40 °C, with a TM220 thermal-magnetic trip unit. It's designed for line protection — meaning it sits at the feeder or main branch, not downstream on a motor or drive circuit. The interrupting ratings are the headline: 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 500 V and 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V is high — it handles fault currents from a large transformer or a high-capacity bus without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream. The 800 V rated insulation voltage means it's rated for 690 V systems with margin.
Thermal derating and real-world current
The 16 A rating holds from 40 °C through 55 °C — no derating needed in a warm panel. At 60 °C it drops to 15 A, and it holds there through 70 °C. That's a clean derating curve: you lose 1 A across a 30 °C rise above 55 °C. The maximum power loss is 10.6 W, which is modest for a 3-pole MCCB at this rating — helps keep internal panel temperature in check.
Physical fit and integration
Dimensions: 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall. That 76.2 mm width (3 inches) is the standard 3-pole MCCB footprint for this frame size — it occupies three 25 mm DIN positions or a bolt-on panel mount. No undervoltage release, no shunt trip, no communication module on this variant — it's a straight thermal-magnetic breaker with auxiliary contacts. The -25 °C to +70 °C operating range covers most indoor and sheltered outdoor enclosures. Storage range is -40 °C to +80 °C.