It protects a single-phase final subcircuit against overload, short-circuit, and earth leakage, with a Type B tripping characteristic (instantaneous magnetic release for short-circuits, thermal bimetal for overload). Rated 16 A at 30 °C ambient, it derates to 12.32 A at 70 °C — a curve worth checking if the panel runs hot. Breaking capacity is 6 kA per EN 60898 (the household standard) and 15 kA per IEC 60947-2 (the industrial standard), so it handles fault currents up to 15 kA at 230/240 V AC, 50 Hz.
At 36 mm wide (2 modular width units), it occupies two adjacent slots in a consumer unit or panelboard.