Siemens SENTRON 3VM1096-3ED36-0AA2 — 16 A MCCB, TM210 Release
The Siemens 3VM1096-3ED36-0AA2 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) rated for line protection, carrying 16 A continuous current at 40 °C through a 3-pole configuration. Its TM210 thermal-magnetic release provides LI protection — a thermal element for overloads and a magnetic element for short circuits — without electronic adjustment, making it a fixed-trip replacement for legacy MCCB bays where you want a drop-in spare without commissioning software. Breaking capacity varies sharply with system voltage: 76 kA at 240 V, 53 kA at 415 V, 32 kA at 440 V, and 8 kA at 500 V. At 415 V, that 53 kA covers most industrial secondary-distribution panels behind a transformer; at 500 V the 8 kA rating still clears a standard fault on a motor control centre bus.
Thermal Derating and Panel Fit
The 16 A rating holds flat from 40 °C to 55 °C ambient — no derating needed in a warm enclosure. At 60 °C it drops to 15 A, at 65 °C to 14 A, and holds 14 A through 70 °C. If your panel runs hot near a drive bank, size the load at 14 A continuous to keep the breaker cool. Dimensions are 130 mm high, 76.2 mm wide, 70 mm deep — a compact 3-pole MCCB footprint that fits standard SENTRON mounting bases and busbar systems. Front IP40 protection keeps dust out of the enclosure face; the body itself is not sealed for washdown. Rated insulation voltage is 690 V, and the maximum operating voltage for DC circuits is 500 V. Power loss at rated current is 11 W — negligible for enclosure thermal calculations unless you are packing a dozen of these in a small cabinet.
Lifecycle and Sourcing Reality
For a BOM freeze or critical-spare holding, the 3VM1096-3ED36-0AA2 is a safe line item. If you need a second-source gate, the closest functional peer in the SENTRON family is the 3VA1020-3ED36-0AA0 — same 3-pole form factor, same TM210 release, but check the interrupting rating at your system voltage before swapping part numbers.