It protects a single-phase final circuit against overload, short-circuit, and earth leakage. The 1P+N design means the line pole is switched and protected; the neutral pole is switched but not protected. The 4.5 kA breaking capacity per EN 60898 covers most domestic and light commercial installations; the 5 kA rating per IEC 60947-2 gives a bit more headroom for industrial panels where the prospective fault current is higher. The C curve (5–10× In) means it will hold through the start-up surge of a small compressor or pump without nuisance tripping, but still clears a bolted fault fast enough to limit let-through energy to Energy Limitation Class 3.
Temperature derating — the real-world current rating
The 16 A rating holds only up to 30 °C ambient inside the distribution board. Above that, the thermal-magnetic trip element must be derated: 15.2 A at 40 °C, 14.72 A at 45 °C, 14.24 A at 50 °C, 13.76 A at 55 °C, 13.28 A at 60 °C, 12.8 A at 65 °C, and 12.32 A at 70 °C. Plan the load accordingly, or the bimetal strip will trip on a sustained current well below 16 A.
At 18 mm wide (1 MWU), it occupies one slot in a distribution board. Depth is 77 mm, installation depth 70 mm — check your enclosure depth if using a shallow flush-mount box. IP20 rating applies only when the distribution board is installed and conductors are connected; the front face is finger-safe, but the terminals are not touch-proof with the cover open. Any mounting position is permitted, so it can be installed sideways or inverted if the enclosure layout demands it.