Sourcing & Lifecycle — Active Production, Quoted to Order
The GV3L251: This is the 25 A variant in the TeSys GV3L family of motor circuit breakers, designed for motor protection in industrial control panels. The part carries full IEC, UL, and CSA certifications, so it lands in panels destined for North American or European sites without a second review.
Breaking Capacity & Motor Power — What the Ratings Mean for Fit
The 100 kA Icu at 400/415 V AC is the headline number — this breaker safely interrupts fault currents up to 100 kA at common industrial voltages, which means it can be used in high-fault-capacity installations without needing an upstream current-limiting fuse or breaker. At 690 V the breaking capacity drops to 6 kA, so if your line runs at 690 V, verify the available fault current stays below that ceiling. Motor power ratings are 11 kW at 400/415 V, 15 kW at 500 V, and 18.5 kW at 690 V — these are the full-load motor sizes the breaker protects in AC-3 duty (squirrel-cage motors, starting and stopping under load). The 25 A rated current (Ith) matches the thermal-magnetic trip curve for those motor frames. Magnetic tripping current is 350 A — that is the instantaneous magnetic trip threshold. For a 25 A breaker this is roughly 14× In, which keeps inrush from starting a motor from nuisance-tripping the magnetic element while still clearing a bolted fault fast.
Mounting, Isolation & Environment — Panel Integration Notes
Mounts on 35 mm symmetrical DIN rail (clipped) or directly to a panel with three M4 screws. The 55 mm width means it takes three standard 18 mm module spaces on the rail — plan the enclosure layout accordingly. The rotary handle control type gives a clear visual indication of the contact position, which helps during lockout/tagout. Suitable for isolation per IEC 60947-1 — the breaker provides a visible break when the handle is in the OFF position, so it can serve as a disconnecting means for the motor circuit. This saves a separate disconnect switch in many panel designs. IP20 finger-safe protection on the front face; the terminals are screw-clamp type with a 5 N·m tightening torque. Ambient operating range is -20 to 60 °C, storage from -40 to 80 °C — fine for most indoor industrial environments but check if your panel ambient exceeds 60 °C. Power dissipation is 8 W per pole — at 25 A load, three poles dissipate 24 W total. This heat must be considered in the enclosure thermal calculation, especially in a sealed cabinet with multiple breakers ganged together.
Durability & Mechanical Robustness — Service Life Expectation
Rated for 50,000 electrical cycles in AC-3 at 415 V at full rated current, and 50,000 mechanical cycles. In a typical motor-starting application (one start per hour, 8-hour shift, 250 days/year), that works out to about 25 years of service life before the electrical endurance is consumed — well within the panel design life for most installations. Vibration rating of 4 Gn at 5-300 Hz and shock rating of 30 Gn (contactor closed) means it holds in on a conveyor line or pump skid without dropping out. The 15 Gn shock rating with the contactor open is relevant for transport — the breaker won't weld its contacts during shipment.