What this MCCB is and where it fits
The Siemens 3VA1196-6EE32-0AA0 is a SENTRON 3VA1 molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels and motor control centers. It is a 3-pole unit rated 16 A at 40 °C with a TM220 thermal-magnetic trip unit — fixed thermal and magnetic settings, no electronic adjustment. The breaker carries a 220 kA breaking capacity at 240 V AC, which drops to 154 kA at 415 V and 121 kA at 440 V, so it handles high fault-current scenarios common in industrial main feeders or large sub-distribution boards.
Breaking capacity and coordination
The 220 kA at 240 V is the headline interrupting rating — this breaker can clear a bolted fault at that level without self-destruction, which matters for upstream coordination where the available fault current is high. At 415 V it still delivers 154 kA, and at 690 V it holds 17 kA, so it remains usable in 400 V class systems with substantial transformer capacity. The rated insulation voltage is 800 V, confirming it is built for 690 V line-to-line applications with margin.
Thermal performance and derating
The 16 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 55 °C — no derating needed in a warm enclosure up to that point. At 60 °C it derates to 15 A, and at 70 °C it stays at 15 A, so a panel near a heat source or in a hot climate still delivers 15 A continuous. Maximum power loss is 10.6 W, which is modest for a 3-pole MCCB of this class and helps keep internal cabinet temperatures manageable.
Physical fit and environment
The breaker measures 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, and 70 mm deep — a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits most Siemens SENTRON mounting bases and panel cutouts. Front-face protection is IP40, so it is protected against tools and wires >1 mm but not against water ingress; install it inside a rated enclosure. Operating temperature range is -25 °C to 70 °C; storage range is -40 °C to 80 °C, which covers cold warehouses and unconditioned storage without issue.
Lifecycle and sourcing posture
The lifecycle stage is marked as current, meaning Siemens still actively manufactures this order code — no end-of-life notice, no last-time-buy window. It is a standard catalog item in the SENTRON 3VA1 family. For a BOM line or a replacement panel, this part is sourced to order against an RFQ through independent distribution; availability and current pricing are confirmed at quote time.