What this 3VA frame carries
The Siemens 3VA1196-5EF32-0CH0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) sized for line protection in distribution panels. Three poles, rated 16 A continuous at 40 °C through 55 °C — no derating needed in that band — then steps to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C. That thermal curve means it holds full rating in most ventilated enclosures; only tight, hot compartments force the 15 A limit. Breaking capacity is the headline: 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at both 500 V and 690 V. That 187 kA figure at 240 V puts it squarely in high-fault-current applications — transformer secondaries, large motor control centers, or any point where the available fault current exceeds what a standard MCCB can interrupt. The 17 kA floor at 690 V is still respectable for industrial 690 V grids. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so the breaker is electrically rated for 690 V systems with margin. Power dissipation maxes at 13.1 W — manageable for panel thermal budgeting, but worth checking if you're packing multiple breakers in a sealed enclosure.
Auxiliaries and release
This variant ships with an undervoltage release (UVR) built in — the coil drops the breaker if control voltage falls below the dropout threshold. That's a common spec for emergency-stop chains or undervoltage protection schemes. Auxiliary switching is handled by two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch (HQ type), giving status feedback for remote monitoring or PLC inputs. Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits standard Siemens 3VA panel mounting. No communication function on this variant; it's a straight electromechanical breaker with no integrated metering or bus interface.