What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-6EE46-0AA0 is a 4-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection, carrying a TM220 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Rated at 16 A continuously from 40 °C up to 55 °C, it derates to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C — so in a warm panel you lose 1 A of headroom above 55 °C ambient. The 220 kA breaking capacity at 240 V is the headline number, but the real-world interrupting capability drops to 154 kA at 415 V and 121 kA at 440 V; at 500 V and 690 V it still holds 17 kA, which covers most industrial distribution faults without cascading upstream.
Panel fit and integration
The 3VA1196-6EE46-0AA0 measures 70 mm deep, 101.6 mm wide, and 130 mm tall — a standard MCCB footprint for a 4-pole frame. It mounts on a DIN rail or panel-mount base; the IP40 front protection means it is suited for indoor switchgear enclosures where dust ingress is limited but not sealed against washdown. The 10.6 W maximum power loss at rated load is modest — no forced cooling required in a typical 600 mm wide panel, but factor it into the thermal budget if the enclosure is densely packed.