MCCB with 187 kA interrupting capacity at 240 VAC — line protection focus
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-5EF36-0DH0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated 16 A continuous at 40 °C and designed for line protection duty. Its interrupting capacity hits 187 kA at 240 VAC, 121 kA at 415 VAC, and 75.6 kA at 440 VAC — figures that cover most industrial service-entrance and feeder applications where high fault current is expected. The 800 V rated insulation voltage confirms it handles 480/600 V class systems without derating the insulation. Built into a 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, 70 mm deep enclosure, it fits standard panel-mount cutouts. The breaker includes an undervoltage release (UVR) and a complement of two auxiliary switches plus one trip alarm switch HQ — enough for remote status feedback without an add-on module.
Current derating and thermal limits
Rated current holds at 16 A from 40 °C through 55 °C, then steps down to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C. That flat profile up to 55 °C means no derating in most ventilated enclosures; only tightly-packed or high-ambient panels need the 15 A limit. Maximum power loss is 13.1 W, which is manageable for a 3-pole MCCB of this size.
Auxiliary and release configuration
Factory-fitted with an undervoltage release (UVR) — the coil drops the breaker when control voltage falls below a threshold, standard for emergency-stop and safety interlock circuits. The auxiliary switch complement (2 form-C + 1 trip alarm HQ) signals position and trip status to a PLC or indicator lamp without extra wiring.