What this MCCB is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1196-5EF32-0AC0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels. It carries a rated current of 16 A across ambient temperatures from 40 °C to 55 °C, derating to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C. The TM240 thermal-magnetic release handles overload and short-circuit protection without an electronic trip unit — no communication function, no ground-fault monitoring, no undervoltage release built in.
Breaking capacity — what the numbers mean for panel coordination
This breaker delivers 187 kA at 240 V AC, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. Those are the interrupting ratings at each voltage level — the SCCR the breaker can clear without welding or rupturing. For a 480 V panel, the 75.6 kA figure at 440 V is the closest published value; coordination studies should use that as the ceiling. The 800 V rated insulation voltage (Ui) confirms the breaker is insulated for 690 V line-to-line service.
Physical fit and internal switch configuration
The 3VA1196-5EF32-0AC0 measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a 3-pole footprint that drops into standard SENTRON panel mounting. It ships with two factory-fitted HQ auxiliary switches (form C) for status feedback to a PLC or indicator lamp. The base switch assembly is order code 3VA11965EF320AA0; if you need a different auxiliary contact count, that base unit is the common platform across the 3VA1 family.