What it is and what it does
The Siemens 5SL6516-7MB is a SENTRON 5SL6 miniature circuit breaker rated 16 A at 230 V AC with a C tripping characteristic, 1P+N poles, and a 6 kA breaking capacity per both EN 60898 and IEC 60947-2. The C-curve means it trips between 5 and 10 times rated current, making it a standard fit for mixed resistive and moderate inductive loads in residential and light commercial distribution boards — think lighting circuits, general-purpose socket outlets, and small appliance feeds where inrush isn't extreme. The 1P+N configuration switches the line conductor and switches the neutral, which is common in single-phase final subcircuits where you want overcurrent protection on the phase and a switched neutral for isolation.
Key ratings and what they mean for fit
At 16 A and 6 kA SCCR, this breaker clears a bolted fault up to 6 kiloamps without welding its contacts or cascading failure upstream — that's the standard interrupting rating for most residential and light commercial panelboards in Europe and markets following IEC 60898. Rated voltage is 230 V AC single-phase, with a maximum DC voltage rating of 60 V — so it's not a DC solar-string breaker; keep it on AC circuits. The 20 000 mechanical switching cycles typical service life means it's built for daily operation in a panel that sees regular switching, not just a backup disconnect that cycles once a year. IP20 with connected conductors means it's protected against finger contact but not against moisture ingress — install it inside a dry enclosure or distribution board, not in a washdown zone.
Mounting and integration
Snap-on mounting to DIN rail, 2 width units (36 mm wide), 76 mm depth, 70 mm installation depth — drops into any standard 35 mm DIN-rail distribution board without adapters. Mounting position any, so you can orient it vertically, horizontally, or even upside-down in a tight enclosure without derating — useful when laying out a dense panel. Sealable design lets you lock the toggle position with a seal wire or padlock to prevent unauthorized reset — common in shared-meter or landlord areas.