Motor circuit breaker for 11 kW at 400 V — the rating that decides the fit
The GV2ME22A is a 3-pole thermal-magnetic motor circuit breaker from the TeSys Deca range, rated 25 A line current. At 400/415 V AC it protects an 11 kW motor; at 500 V AC it covers 15 kW. That 25 A setting is the trip unit's continuous rating — the breaker carries that current indefinitely without nuisance tripping, then clears a fault when the thermal or magnetic element picks up.
Breaking capacity across the voltage band — 50 kA at 230 V, 15 kA at 400 V
The interrupting rating is not a single number; it varies with the available fault current at the point of installation. At 230/240 V the GV2ME22A interrupts 50 kA Icu per IEC 60947-2 — that covers most service-entrance and distribution-panel fault levels in North American 240 V systems. At 400/415 V the rating is 15 kA Icu, which is adequate for most European motor control centres where the transformer impedance limits fault current below that threshold. At 690 V the rating drops to 3 kA Icu — sufficient for the reduced fault current on 690 V networks but not for high-capacity buswork. The utilisation category is Category A per IEC 60947-2, meaning the breaker is not intended for current-limiting performance against a specific let-through curve — it opens on fault but does not carry a specific I²t let-through rating. For motor switching duty it is rated AC-3 and AC-3e per IEC 60947-4-1, which covers starting and disconnecting squirrel-cage motors under load. The magnetic trip is fixed at 388.3 A — approximately 15.5 times the 25 A rated current. That means the instantaneous element picks up on a locked-rotor or short-circuit condition but does not trip on normal motor starting inrush, which typically runs 6–8× FLA. The thermal element handles overload protection; phase failure sensitivity per IEC 60947-4-1 means it detects a lost phase and trips before the motor single-phases to failure.
Mounting, terminals, and panel fit — DIN rail or screw-fixed
The breaker snaps onto a 35 mm symmetrical DIN rail or mounts with an adaptor plate for screw fixing. The width is 45 mm (1.8 in) — one standard modular unit — so it occupies a single 18 mm slot on the rail. Depth is 78.5 mm (3.09 in), height 101 mm (4.0 in). Mounting orientation is horizontal or vertical; no derating is required for vertical mounting at the 25 A rating. Power terminals accept snap-in solid conductors from 0.75 to 4 mm² (18–12 AWG) or flexible conductors up to 6 mm² (10 AWG) without a ferrule. The IP20 front-face protection means the breaker is touch-safe from the front but not sealed against dust ingress — standard for enclosed panel mounting. The IK04 impact rating (0.5 J) confirms the housing withstands accidental tool strikes during commissioning.
Standards, isolation, and environmental qualification
The GV2ME22A carries approvals to EN/IEC 60947-2, EN/IEC 60947-4-1, UL 60947-4-1, and CSA C22.2 No 60947-4-1. It is certified for isolation per IEC 60947-1, meaning the open contacts provide a defined disconnection gap — you can lock it out as a disconnecting means for the motor circuit. The fire resistance is tested at 960 °C (1760 °F) per IEC 60695-2-11, confirming the housing material does not propagate flame under fault arcing. Climatic withstand is IACS — the breaker is suitable for use in non-condensing, temperate environments up to 2000 m altitude without derating. The rated insulation voltage (Ui) is 690 V AC, matching the maximum operational voltage (Ue). Electrical durability is 100,000 cycles at AC-3 and AC-3e at 415 V at rated current; mechanical durability is also 100,000 cycles.