What it is and what it does
The Siemens 3VM1196-4ED32-0AA0 is a SENTRON molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) designed for line protection in distribution panels. Rated 16 A continuous at 40 °C through 55 °C, it carries a thermal-magnetic TM210 release that handles overload and short-circuit conditions without undervoltage or ground-fault monitoring. Three poles, IP40 front protection — it mounts in standard panelboard or enclosure cutouts.
Breaking capacity — what the numbers mean for your fault level
The interrupting rating drops as system voltage rises: 121 kA at 240 VAC, 76 kA at 415 VAC, 53 kA at 440 VAC, and 12 kA at 500 VAC. For a 400 V distribution board with a prospective fault current of 65 kA, this breaker clears it. At 480 V the margin narrows — the 53 kA at 440 V is the closest published figure; the 3VA manual covers DC ratings separately. The TM210 release trips magnetically on short-circuit and thermally on overload; no trip indicator or communication function is built in.
Thermal derating and panel fit
Rated current holds at 16 A from 40 °C to 55 °C, then steps down to 15 A from 60 °C to 70 °C. In a sealed enclosure with multiple breakers ganged, that derating matters — plan for the 15 A limit if ambient inside the panel hits 60 °C. Dimensions: 70 mm deep, 76.2 mm wide, 130 mm tall. The 76.2 mm width is a standard 3-inch footprint for three-pole MCCBs, so it drops into existing Sentron or 3VM panel bases without adapter plates. Maximum power loss is 11 W per pole — negligible for thermal budgeting in most distribution boards.
Lifecycle and sourcing reality
Lifecycle stage is listed as current — meaning Siemens still produces this order code as an active catalog item. No end-of-life notice or last-time-buy date is on record. For a BOM line that needs this exact 3VM1196 variant, the supply channel is standard distribution; we source and quote against an RFQ with current pricing and lead time confirmed at time of order.