What this 3VA MCCB is and what it does
The 3VA1196-5EF32-0AF0: The TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release means the thermal element is fixed at 16 A (non-adjustable), with a magnetic trip threshold factory-set to 240 A — 15× the rated current, so it clears high-impedance faults fast while riding through motor inrush on the same feeder.
Breaking capacity — the real-world fault clearing
This MCCB carries 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V. Those are the short-circuit breaking capacities (Icu) at each voltage level — the maximum fault current the breaker can safely interrupt at that system voltage. At 415 V, for example, the 121 kA rating means it can clear a bolted fault on a 415 V bus without welding contacts or rupturing the arc chamber, which is well above typical utility fault levels in most industrial installations. The 187 kA at 240 V is exceptionally high — it allows this 16 A frame to be used on the secondary side of a large step-down transformer where available fault current can exceed 100 kA, without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream.
Thermal derating — don't lose capacity in a warm panel
The breaker carries its full 16 A up to 50 °C ambient. At 55 °C it derates to 15.36 A, at 60 °C to 15.04 A, at 65 °C to 14.72 A, and at 70 °C to 14.4 A. In a tightly packed panel near the top of a switchboard where ambient can hit 55–60 °C, the derated value governs the actual load you can feed — plan the branch circuit for 15 A continuous if the enclosure runs hot.
Panel fit and auxiliaries
The 3VA1196-5EF32-0AF0 measures 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, and 130 mm high — the standard 3VA frame footprint for 3-pole breakers up to 160 A. It mounts directly onto a DIN rail or panel-mount baseplate; the 76.2 mm width matches a 4-module DIN space (18 mm per module). It ships with one auxiliary switch and one trip alarm switch (HQ configuration) factory-installed, so you get remote status of the breaker position and a separate signal when it trips on fault. No undervoltage release or shunt trip is fitted from the factory; those can be added as field-installable accessories. Front-face protection is IP40 — suitable for dry indoor panels where tools or fingers won't contact live parts. The storage range (-40 °C to 80 °C) covers cold warehouses and hot shipping containers, but the operating range (-25 °C to 70 °C) is the one that governs in-service performance.