The Siemens 3VA1196-5EF36-0DC0 is a 3-pole SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 16 A continuous current with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its breaking capacity reaches 187 kA at 240 V, 121 kA at 415 V, 75.6 kA at 440 V, and 17 kA at 690 V — covering most industrial distribution voltages without a downstream current-limiting fuse.
What the ratings mean for panel fit
The 16 A rating holds steady from 40 °C up to 50 °C without derating, then drops to 15.36 A at 55 °C and 14.4 A at 70 °C — useful when the breaker sits in a warm enclosure near other heat sources. Rated insulation voltage is 800 V, so it's fine on 690 V line-to-line systems with margin. The TM240 release is a fixed thermal-magnetic type — no interchangeable trip unit, which simplifies ordering but means you can't swap the rating later. The breaker includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and two high-quality auxiliary switches (3VA9608-0BB25) for status feedback to a PLC or panel indicator. Front protection is IP40, so it's suited for enclosed panel mounting where no washdown or dust ingress is expected. Dimensions are 130 mm height, 76.2 mm width, 70 mm depth — standard footprint for this SENTRON frame size.
Deployment context
This MCCB mounts on a DIN rail or panel plate inside a standard industrial enclosure, protecting a feeder or branch circuit up to 16 A. The 187 kA interrupting rating at 240 V means it can be installed on high-fault-capacity mains without needing a current-limiting fuse upstream — a common requirement in large panelboards or switchboards.