Line-up and breaking capacity
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-6EF32-0AE0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection with a continuous current Iu of 16 A. Its TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release provides fixed overload and short-circuit protection for feeder circuits in distribution panels. Breaking capacity is the standout spec here: 220 kA at 240 V, tapering to 154 kA at 415 V, 121 kA at 440 V, and still 17 kA at 690 V. That 220 kA figure at 240 V means it can safely interrupt very high fault currents near the transformer secondary — think large industrial service entrances or high-capacity busway feeds where the available fault current exceeds what a standard MCCB can handle.
Thermal derating and panel fit
The 16 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C ambient (16 A at each point). Above that it derates: 15.36 A at 55 °C, stepping down to 14.4 A at 70 °C. For a panel OEM wireman, that means if the enclosure ambient runs at 55 °C, the breaker can only carry 15.36 A continuously — factor that into your branch circuit sizing. Dimensions: 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high, 70 mm deep. Front protection is IP40. It ships with 4 auxiliary switches (HQ type) built in, but no undervoltage release, no ground-fault monitoring, no voltage trigger, and no communication function. If you need shunt trip or remote signaling beyond the aux contacts, you'll add those externally.