The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-6EF32-0HA0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for 16 A continuous current with a TM240 thermal-magnetic overcurrent release. Its breaking capacity hits 220 kA at 240 V, 154 kA at 415 V, and 121 kA at 440 V — numbers that put this squarely in the high-fault-current class for industrial distribution panels where the upstream transformer can dump serious energy into a bolted fault.
What the ratings mean for fit
The 16 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 50 °C, then derates to 15.36 A at 55 °C and 14.4 A at 70 °C. That matters in a sealed panel or a high-ambient machine cabinet — you don't lose headroom until the enclosure air hits 55 °C. The rated insulation voltage of 800 V covers 480 V and 600 V class systems with margin. The IP40 front protection means the breaker face is splash-resistant but not sealed; mount it inside a panel, not in a washdown zone. The TM240 release is a fixed thermal-magnetic design — no interchangeable trip units. That simplifies the BOM but means the breaker is dedicated to its 16 A setting. If the load changes, the breaker changes with it. The shunt trip (STL) auxiliary release (3VA9688-0BL30) is available as an add-on for remote tripping, but there's no undervoltage release option on this variant. Mechanical endurance is rated at 15,000 operations. The breaker is designed for line protection (feeder duty), not motor-starting duty.
Panel integration and dimensions
The breaker measures 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm high, and 70 mm deep. It mounts on a DIN rail or directly to a mounting plate with screws.