What it is and what it does
The Siemens SENTRON 3VM1196-4EE36-0AA2 is a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) in the 3VM1 frame, rated for 16 A continuous current at 40 °C through 55 °C, then derating to 15 A at 60 °C through 70 °C. It carries a TM220 overcurrent release — that's a thermal-magnetic trip with LI protection (long-time and instantaneous), adjustable overload protection Ir from 11 A to 16 A, and a fixed short-circuit pickup at 20 x In (320 A). The 'S' switching capacity class means it's the standard-break version, not the high-break 'H' variant.
Breaking capacity — what the numbers mean for your panel
This breaker's interrupting ratings climb with system voltage: 121 kA at 240 V AC, 76 kA at 415 V AC, 53 kA at 440 V AC, and 11.9 kA at 500 V AC. At 415 V — the most common industrial distribution voltage in IEC markets — 76 kA is serious headroom for a 16 A frame. It means this MCCB can safely clear a bolted fault on a 2 MVA transformer secondary without the arc re-striking or the case rupturing. At 500 V the rating drops to 11.9 kA, which still covers most sub-distribution panels but won't handle a main-service fault on a large transformer. The rated insulation voltage is 690 V, and maximum operational voltage is 500 V AC 50/60 Hz or 500 V DC.
Panel integration notes
Front-connected box terminals accept copper or aluminum conductors up to the 160 A frame size rating. The IP40 front protection means it's fine inside a clean indoor enclosure but not for washdown areas. Operating range spans -25 °C to 70 °C, storage from -40 °C to 80 °C. No auxiliary contacts come pre-installed (0 CO contacts), and the neutral conductor isn't field-upgradeable — plan your accessory order separately if you need alarm or shunt-trip signaling. No communication module, no ground-fault monitoring built in.