The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-5EF32-0DH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection at 16 A continuous current, with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Breaking capacity hits 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V — that covers most industrial distribution panels without needing a current-limiting upstream device.
Thermal derating and panel fit
Rated continuous current holds at 16 A from 40 °C up to 50 °C; above that it derates linearly to 14.4 A at 70 °C. If your panel ambient runs hot, that 70 °C figure is the floor — the breaker still carries 14.4 A without nuisance tripping. Footprint is 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a standard MCCB envelope. The IP40 front protection means it's fine in a clean indoor enclosure; keep it out of washdown zones.
Auxiliary and undervoltage release
Comes with 2 auxiliary contacts plus 1 trip alarm switch (HQ configuration) and an integrated undervoltage release (UVR). The UVR is factory-fitted — no field kit to add. That alarm switch gives a positive signal when the breaker trips, useful for remote fault annunciation on a PLC input.