The 3VA1196-5EF32-0KH0 is a SENTRON 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated 16 A continuous at 40 °C, with a 121 kA interrupting capacity at 415 V AC. It's designed for line protection — the primary feeder or distribution branch in a panel, not motor or generator protection. The interrupting rating at 415 V (121 kA) means it can safely clear a bolted fault up to that level without upstream coordination failure; at 240 V that figure rises to 187 kA. For a 400 V distribution board this is a high-fault rated breaker, sized for high-capacity transformer secondaries or industrial service entrances where available fault current exceeds 50 kA.
Integrated accessories and panel fit
This variant ships with a shunt trip (STL) release and a factory-fitted auxiliary switch block: 2 auxiliary switches plus 1 trip alarm switch HQ. The shunt trip allows remote tripping from a PLC or E-stop circuit — common in safety circuits where a downstream contactor alone doesn't provide the isolation clearance. The auxiliary switches report breaker position (ON/OFF) and trip status back to a control system. No undervoltage release is fitted. Panel dimensions: 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, 70 mm deep — three-pole width on a standard 25 mm/module grid. The 70 mm depth (2.76 in) is shallow enough for 200 mm deep enclosures with wiring gutters.
Thermal derating and operating range
Rated current holds at 16 A from 40 °C up to 55 °C, then derates to 15 A at 60 °C and stays at 15 A through 70 °C. That's a flat thermal curve — no derating step until 60 °C, which is better than many MCCBs that start dropping at 50 °C. The maximum operating ambient is 70 °C; storage range is -40 to 80 °C. Insulation voltage rated 800 V, so it's suitable for 690 V systems with margin. Power loss at rated load is 10.6 W — relevant for thermal modeling in sealed enclosures.