What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VA1196-5EF32-0KC0 is a SENTRON 3VA1 molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection in 3-pole configuration. It carries a continuous current rating of 16 A across ambient temperatures from 40 °C through 55 °C, derating to 15 A at 60–70 °C. The interrupting capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 VAC, 121 kA at 415 VAC, and 75.6 kA at 440 VAC — figures that place it in the high-breaking-capacity tier of the 3VA1 family, suited for fault currents on large distribution transformers or industrial mains.
Ratings that decide the fit
The 187 kA at 240 V is the headline number, but the 121 kA at 415 V is the one that governs most European and Asian 400 V-class panels — that is the figure a panel designer checks against the available fault current at the service entrance. At 500 V and 690 V the breaker still holds 17 kA, which covers most motor-control-center applications on 480 V or 600 V systems. The insulation voltage is rated 800 V, so the breaker is electrically safe for use on 690 V line-to-line circuits. Thermal derating is flat from 40 °C to 55 °C at 16 A, then drops to 15 A at 60–70 °C. That means in a tightly packed panel running at 50 °C ambient, you get the full 16 A; above 55 °C you lose 1 A. The power loss at rated current is 10.6 W maximum — modest enough that adjacent devices see minimal heat rise.
Built-in accessories
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) for remote tripping and two HQ auxiliary switches for status feedback to a PLC or indication lamp. No undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no communication module — it is a straightforward line-protection MCCB with the two most common auxiliaries already fitted. The shunt trip lets a safety relay or fire-alarm panel kill the breaker remotely; the HQ aux switches give normally-open and normally-closed mirror contacts.
Panel fit and dimensions
At 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep, this 3-pole MCCB occupies a standard 3-module footprint. The 76.2 mm width (3 inches) matches typical per-pole spacing.
Lifecycle and sourcing
The lifecycle stage is current — this is an active-production part in the SENTRON 3VA1 line. No last-time-buy windows or successor announcements exist.