What the ratings mean for your panel
The Siemens 3VA1196-5EF32-0AG0 is a 3-pole IEC frame 160 molded-case circuit breaker with a 55 kA interrupting capacity at 415 V (class M). That 55 kA rating means it can safely clear a fault up to that level without rupturing or cascading upstream — critical for high-fault-capacity installations like transformer secondaries or large motor control centers. The TM240 thermal-magnetic trip unit gives you adjustable overload protection (Ir = 11 A to 16 A) and fixed short-circuit protection (Ii = 10 to 20 × In, so 160 A to 320 A at the 16 A rating). The built-in nut keeper kit, one auxiliary switch (HP), and one trip alarm switch (HP) reduce field wiring — you don't need separate add-on modules for status feedback to the PLC or alarm annunciation.
Panel integration notes
Mounts in a standard IEC frame 160 footprint — the same cut-out and bus-bar spacing as other 3VA1 breakers. The nut keeper kit retains the terminal screws during wiring, a small time-saver on a multi-breaker panel. The auxiliary and alarm switches are pre-installed and wired to the breaker's internal contacts; verify the wiring diagram for your PLC input voltage before energizing.