16 A MCCB with 220 kA interrupting capacity — line protection for high-fault panels
The Siemens SENTRON 3VA1196-6EF32-0KC0 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker rated for line protection, carrying a continuous current of 16 A across its operating temperature range from -25 °C to 70 °C, with a slight derating to 15 A above 60 °C. Its interrupting capacity reaches 220 kA at 240 VAC, 154 kA at 415 V, and 121 kA at 440 V — figures that place it in the high-fault-current class for industrial main feeders or large sub-distribution boards where upstream transformer capacity drives available fault current above 100 kA. The rated insulation voltage of 800 V gives headroom for 480 V and 600 V class systems without additional series ratings. This breaker ships with a factory-fitted shunt trip release and two auxiliary switches (HQ design), so it arrives ready for remote tripping and status feedback without additional accessory assembly. The shunt trip allows a safety PLC or emergency-stop circuit to open the breaker directly — useful for machinery isolation or process interlock schemes. The auxiliary switches provide normally-open and normally-closed contacts for panel indication or upstream control logic.
Panel fit and thermal budget
At 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall, and 70 mm deep, the 3VA1196-6EF32-0KC0 occupies a standard 3-pole MCCB footprint on the DIN rail or mounting plate. The 10.6 W maximum power loss at rated current must be factored into enclosure thermal calculations — in a sealed panel with multiple breakers side by side, that heat adds up and may require forced ventilation or derating above 60 °C. Storage temperature range of -40 °C to 80 °C covers warehouse and transport extremes; the -25 °C to 70 °C operating range suits most indoor industrial environments. No undervoltage release or ground-fault monitoring is fitted on this variant — those functions would need a different order code or external modules.
Comparison with 3VA1110-5ED36-0AC0
Compared to the 3VA1110-5ED36-0AC0, this 3VA1196-6EF32-0KC0 is a different frame size and rating class. The 3VA1110 series typically covers lower current ranges (10–16 A) in a narrower physical package. The 3VA1196 frame here is physically larger (76.2 mm vs roughly 54 mm width) and carries the higher interrupting capacity needed for main breaker duty. They are not drop-in interchangeable — a panel laid out for the 3VA1110 would need re-drilling of mounting holes and re-routing of bus bars to accept this wider frame. For a like-for-like replacement in an existing 3VA1110 cutout, stay with that series.