Common GV2 Coordination Mistakes

By Abdullah Zahid
25 min read
Schneider Electric TeSys GV2 motor circuit breaker installed in MCC panel with contactor coordination wiring

Common TeSys GV2 Coordination Mistakes and How to Fix Them

When a TeSys GV2 motor circuit breaker trips unexpectedly during motor start, or an upstream breaker clears a fault that the GV2 should have handled, the problem is rarely the device itself — it is almost always a coordination error in the system. Controls engineers and maintenance electricians working with TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers (manual motor starters) in MCCs and panel builds encounter these issues at post-installation and post-fault stages, when the cost of getting it wrong is already visible. This guide works through the most common GV2 coordination mistakes — covering wiring, settings, hardware compatibility, and fault-level validation — so you can identify the root cause and correct it with confidence.

Before going further: if you have already identified a mismatched or damaged GV2 unit and need a replacement, check current availability of TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Is This the Right Troubleshooting Guide for Your Situation?

This guide is written for engineers and technicians already working with installed TeSys GV2 devices who are experiencing coordination problems or conducting audit reviews. It applies to you if:

  • Your TeSys GV2 motor circuit breaker is tripping during motor start or normal operation and resetting does not solve it permanently
  • An upstream MCCB or fuse is operating during faults instead of the GV2 clearing the fault first
  • A contactor or GV2 has been damaged after a fault despite assuming type 2 coordination was in place
  • You are auditing an MCC and cannot find documented coordination between the GV2, contactor, and upstream protection
  • You have recently replaced a motor or upstream device and have not revisited the coordination study
  • You are commissioning a new panel and want to verify the GV2 and TeSys contactor combination before energizing

If your fault level at the installation point exceeds the published coordination limits for your installed combination, or if you have visible physical damage to a GV2 or contactor after a fault event, stop and escalate to engineering before attempting any adjustment or re-energization.

On this page:

What the TeSys GV2 Does and Where Coordination Fits In

The TeSys GV2 family consists of motor circuit breakers and manual motor starters used to protect and isolate individual motors. The family includes thermal-magnetic units, which provide both overload and short-circuit protection in one device, and magnetic-only units, which provide short-circuit protection but require a separate overload relay. Both types are rated and catalogued per variant, with breaking capacity and coordination limits specified per catalogue number and application voltage.

In a typical motor circuit, the TeSys GV2 sits between the upstream feeder protection — an MCCB or fuse — and the motor contactor, with the motor connected downstream of the contactor. Coordination in this context means that when a fault occurs, the right device operates: the GV2 should clear motor-circuit faults without the upstream device operating, and the contactor should survive the event in a defined condition depending on the coordination type declared.

IEC 60947 defines two coordination types for this combination. Type 1 coordination permits the contactor or overload relay to sustain some damage after a short-circuit event, provided the assembly poses no danger to persons and does not need to remain operational immediately. Type 2 coordination targets fault clearing without damage that requires replacement of the contactor or overload protection — which makes adherence to the exact published GV2 and contactor combinations critical, because type 2 is only valid for specific listed pairings at defined fault current levels.

Manufacturer coordination tables from Schneider Electric specify compatible GV2 and TeSys contactor combinations and the fault current levels at which type 1 or type 2 coordination is achieved. These tables are not optional guidance — they are the primary design and verification reference, and most coordination problems traced in the field come back to these tables not being used, being misread, or being used with outdated fault-level data.

Safety and Pre-Diagnostic Checks Before You Touch Anything

  • Apply lockout/tagout to the motor feeder and verify absence of voltage at both the GV2 line and load terminals before any physical inspection, wiring check, or terminal tightening.
  • Confirm appropriate PPE is worn and that only qualified personnel perform any testing or adjustment on the circuit.
  • Perform a visual inspection first — check for signs of overheating, arcing, melted insulation, cracked GV2 housing, or discoloration on contactor contacts before proceeding with electrical checks.
  • If the GV2 or contactor shows visible damage, cracked housing, or evidence of welding, do not reset or re-energize — treat the hardware as failed and escalate.
  • Gather documentation before touching settings: motor nameplate data, GV2 catalogue number and installed setting, upstream device data, applicable coordination tables, and the most recent fault-level calculation for the MCC section.

How to Recognize a GV2 Coordination Problem in the Field

Nuisance tripping during motor start is the most frequently reported symptom. If the TeSys GV2 motor circuit breaker trips consistently on the same motor at start, and the motor and mechanical load are confirmed healthy, the most likely cause is that the GV2 thermal-magnetic setting is too low for the motor's starting current profile, or the GV2 frame rating is not matched to the motor's full-load current. This is a configuration problem, not a device fault.

When the upstream MCCB or fuse operates during a fault instead of the GV2, the problem is a selective coordination failure. This means either the upstream device's instantaneous threshold is set too low relative to the GV2 and motor circuit characteristics, the GV2 and upstream combination is not validated in the coordination tables at the actual fault current level, or no coordination study was performed. The result is that the upstream device sees the fault energy before the GV2 can respond selectively.

Contactor or GV2 damage after a fault, despite an assumption that type 2 coordination was in place, is a sign that the actual GV2 and contactor combination was not a listed type 2 pairing at the fault current present in the circuit. Type 2 coordination is not a general property of mixing GV2 units with TeSys contactors — it is specific to combinations listed in the Schneider coordination tables at declared fault levels. Using an unlisted combination or operating above the published fault current limit voids the type 2 claim.

Audit findings of missing or undocumented coordination are common in panels that have been modified — new motors installed, upstream transformers changed, or substitute contactors fitted — without a corresponding coordination review. This is an equally serious problem because the actual coordination type in place is unknown, even if no fault has yet occurred.

Wiring Faults Between GV2, Contactor, and Motor

Reversed or mixed line and load connections on the TeSys GV2 are a recurring field error. The GV2 must be wired with the supply on the line (input) terminals and the contactor on the load (output) terminals. Reversing this orientation affects protection performance and can cause unexpected behavior during faults. Verify orientation against the device marking and wiring schematics before any other check.

Loose terminal connections cause localized heating that can trigger thermal trips unrelated to motor loading. Retorque all terminals to the values specified in the device documentation. Any terminal showing signs of discoloration, deformation, or charring should be treated as damaged — replace the GV2 and review conductor sizing for that circuit.

Auxiliary contact wiring errors are a separate category. The TeSys GV2 auxiliary contact blocks used for trip signaling to PLCs or control systems must be wired to match the control logic — normally open and normally closed contacts serve different diagnostic functions, and swapping them produces inverted trip signals. A PLC indicating a GV2 trip when the device is not tripped, or failing to indicate a trip when it has occurred, is a common result of misidentified auxiliary contact wiring rather than a true coordination fault.

Configuration and Settings Mistakes on the GV2 and Upstream Devices

The single most common configuration error is leaving the GV2 thermal-magnetic setting at its factory default rather than adjusting it to match the motor's full-load current from the nameplate. The GV2 adjustment dial must be set to the motor FLC within the device's rated range. If the motor FLC falls outside the selected GV2 frame's adjustment range, the wrong GV2 frame is installed and must be replaced with the correct rating.

Magnetic-only GV2 units are appropriate only in circuits where a separate overload relay is already providing thermal protection. Using a magnetic-only unit where overload protection is required — and no separate overload relay is installed — leaves the motor without protection against sustained overload currents. This is a selection error, not a settings error, and requires replacing the device with a thermal-magnetic variant of the correct rating.

Upstream device settings are equally important. If the upstream MCCB's instantaneous trip threshold is set lower than the combined motor-circuit current during the GV2's clearing time for a fault, the upstream device will respond first. Selective coordination requires that the upstream instantaneous threshold be above the maximum current the GV2 will pass during its intended operating range, at the actual fault level present. Coordination tables and fault-level calculations together determine whether this is achievable with the installed combination.

Hardware Compatibility and How to Read Schneider Coordination Tables

Schneider Electric publishes coordination tables in the TeSys catalogue specifying which GV2 units, TeSys contactors, and upstream protective devices achieve type 1 or type 2 coordination at defined fault current levels and system voltages. These tables are the authoritative reference for any coordination claim — not general assumptions based on product family or brand.

A common misreading is assuming that any TeSys GV2 and any TeSys contactor will automatically achieve type 2 coordination. The tables are specific: a particular GV2 catalogue number paired with a particular contactor catalogue number achieves type 2 at a stated maximum prospective short-circuit current. If the fault current at the installation point exceeds that stated value, type 2 coordination is not guaranteed even with the correct hardware combination.

When reviewing an installed combination, locate the GV2 catalogue number in the coordination tables and confirm: the contactor catalogue number is listed for that GV2, the coordination type declared matches what the application requires, and the maximum fault current in the table equals or exceeds the prospective short-circuit current calculated at the MCC section. If any of these conditions are not met, the combination must be revised. Short-circuit breaking capacity and coordination limits depend on the exact GV2 variant and system voltage, and must be checked against the fault level at the installation point using current Schneider documentation — not assumed from memory or prior projects.

Upstream protective devices — MCCBs or fuses — may or may not appear in the coordination tables for a given GV2 combination. When they are listed, use the stated settings and ratings exactly. When they are not listed, do not assume coordination exists — a coordination study using the device characteristics is required.

Fault Level Validation — The Most Commonly Skipped Step

The fault level at the MCC section where the GV2 is installed is not a fixed value — it changes when the supply transformer is replaced or upsized, when feeder impedance changes due to panel modifications or cable replacements, or when the supply authority modifies the network. Each of these events can raise the prospective short-circuit current at the installation point above the limit where the existing GV2 and contactor combination provides the assumed coordination type.

A coordination study performed at original commissioning is not valid indefinitely. The study must be updated whenever significant system changes are made, and the updated fault levels must be compared against the coordination table limits for all installed GV2 and contactor combinations in affected MCC sections. This is the most commonly missed step in persistent coordination problems — hardware and settings may be correct, but the fault level has drifted above the documented coordination limit.

If the calculated fault current at the installation point exceeds the published coordination limit for the installed GV2 combination, the only correct response is redesign — either selecting a higher-rated GV2 and contactor combination with tables supporting the required coordination at the actual fault level, or introducing current-limiting fuses or other upstream devices to reduce the prospective fault current to within the table's limits.

Auxiliary Contact Wiring and PLC Diagnostics That Mislead

TeSys GV2 units typically use add-on auxiliary contact blocks to provide trip status and position feedback to PLCs and control systems. When these signals are miswired or when PLC logic is not updated after panel changes, the result can look like a coordination fault — the PLC reports a GV2 trip that has not occurred, or fails to detect a trip that has. Before treating a diagnostic alarm as evidence of a coordination problem, verify the auxiliary contact wiring against the panel schematics and confirm whether the contact is wired as normally open or normally closed and whether the PLC logic matches that configuration.

A related issue is control logic that does not distinguish between a GV2 trip and an upstream breaker trip. If both events produce the same alarm in the control system, maintenance personnel may reset the GV2 without recognizing that the upstream device has operated — or vice versa. Logic that separately identifies GV2 trips versus upstream trips is important for correct post-fault diagnosis.

Reading Physical Evidence from the GV2 and Contactor After a Fault

After a fault event, the physical condition of the GV2 and contactor provides direct evidence of what occurred and whether coordination performed as intended. The TeSys GV2 includes a mechanical trip indicator that shows whether the device tripped on overcurrent or short circuit — this distinguishes overload trips from fault-current events and helps direct the investigation.

Contactor condition after a fault is the primary indicator of whether type 2 coordination was actually achieved. In a correctly coordinated type 2 event, the contactor should be reusable without replacement — contacts intact, no welding, no structural damage. If the contactor shows burn marks, contact welding, or mechanical deformation, type 2 coordination was not achieved, regardless of what the design documents state. This physical evidence triggers a mandatory review of the GV2 and contactor combination against the coordination tables at the actual fault level.

Severe fault stress on the GV2 body — cracking, charring, or deformation — indicates that fault energy at the installation point may have exceeded the device's breaking capacity or the coordination limit. This is an immediate escalation point. Do not reset or reinstall a physically damaged GV2. Replace it, then investigate whether the fault current level is within the device's published ratings before re-energizing.

Corrective Actions for the Most Common Coordination Mistakes

  • Adjust the GV2 setting dial to match the motor's full-load current from the nameplate — only after confirming the motor FLC falls within the installed GV2 frame's adjustment range and the adjusted setting is consistent with the coordination tables.
  • Replace a mismatched GV2 or contactor with a combination that is explicitly listed in the Schneider coordination tables for the required coordination type at the actual fault level.
  • Correct any reversed or loose wiring between the GV2, contactor, and motor, retorqueing all terminals to specified values and replacing any heat-damaged conductors.
  • Update the fault-level study for the affected MCC section and revise upstream device settings or protection design if the prospective short-circuit current has increased beyond the coordination table limits.
  • Document all corrected combinations, settings, and fault-level data in the panel files and project records so future maintenance personnel have a verified coordination baseline.

Symptom, Cause, and Corrective Action Tables

The following tables cover the four primary fault categories for TeSys GV2 coordination problems. Use these as a structured reference when field symptoms are identified.

Wiring Faults

Symptom Likely Causes What to Check Corrective Action Escalation Point
GV2 trips on start with visible hot spots on terminals Loose or reversed line/load connections; undersized conductors Inspect torque on terminals, line/load orientation, conductor size vs GV2 rating Retorque connections to specified values, correct line/load, replace any heat-damaged conductors If terminals show deformation or charring, replace GV2 and review panel design
Motor does not run but GV2 appears closed Miswired contactor or motor connections, open circuit downstream of GV2 Trace wiring from GV2 load side to contactor and motor, check continuity Correct wiring, replace damaged cables, verify phasing If repeated failures occur despite correct wiring, perform broader MCC inspection
PLC indicates GV2 trip but device is not tripped Miswired auxiliary contacts or wrong logic in PLC Compare auxiliary contact wiring to documentation, confirm NO/NC contact use Rewire auxiliary contacts correctly, update PLC logic and labels Escalate if trip diagnostics remain inconsistent after logic and wiring corrections

Configuration Faults

Symptom Likely Causes What to Check Corrective Action Escalation Point
Nuisance GV2 trips during normal motor start Thermal/magnetic setting too low for motor starting current; wrong GV2 frame for motor FLC Compare GV2 setting to motor nameplate and starting profile; confirm device rating Increase setting within protected range, or select GV2 rating suitable for motor current; verify coordination tables If correct setting still trips, review motor starting method and system voltage drops with an engineer
Upstream breaker trips instead of GV2 during short-circuit Upstream device set too sensitive; GV2 not coordinated for actual fault level; missing coordination study Review upstream settings and coordination tables; check calculated fault current Adjust upstream settings per coordination guidance or reselect GV2/upstream combination; update coordination study If fault level exceeds available coordination data, escalate to engineering for redesign
Contactor damaged after fault though type 2 was assumed Incorrect GV2–contactor combination for type 2; misread coordination tables Check catalogue numbers against manufacturer coordination tables; verify declared coordination type Replace with listed GV2–contactor combination providing required coordination; document combination in panel files Escalate if required coordination cannot be achieved with available device ratings

Power and Fault-Level Issues

Symptom Likely Causes What to Check Corrective Action Escalation Point
GV2 body shows signs of severe fault stress Fault current at location exceeds GV2 breaking capacity or coordination limit Compare calculated fault current with GV2 data and coordination table limits Replace GV2, review fault study and redesign protection to keep fault current within limits Escalate immediately if fault current substantially exceeds device ratings; system safety review is required
Repeated trips across several GV2s in same MCC section Shared supply issue, undervoltage/overvoltage, or incorrect upstream settings Measure supply conditions, review upstream protection and feeder ratings Correct supply issue, adjust upstream protection, consider staged coordination Escalate if supply quality issues persist or root cause is unclear

Commissioning and Documentation Faults

Symptom Likely Causes What to Check Corrective Action Escalation Point
Audit finds no documented coordination for installed GV2 combinations Coordination study never performed or not updated after changes Check project files for coordination tables, fault study, and settings records Perform or update coordination study, align hardware and settings to results, store documentation Escalate to engineering if installed hardware cannot meet required coordination
New motor installed but old GV2 settings retained Settings no longer match motor FLC or start profile Compare new motor data with existing GV2 settings and rating Recalculate required setting, adjust GV2, and recheck coordination Escalate in case of large motor size change or different starting method

Diagnostic Workflow: Step-by-Step Overview

  • Apply lockout/tagout and verify absence of voltage before any physical inspection; gather motor nameplate data, GV2 catalogue number, upstream device data, coordination tables, and fault-level calculations before touching any hardware or settings.
  • Perform a visual inspection of the GV2, contactor, and all terminals for overheating, arcing, mechanical damage, or incorrect line/load orientation — stop and escalate if damage is found.
  • Verify the GV2 setting against the motor FLC and check the installed combination against the Schneider coordination tables for the required coordination type and the actual fault current at the installation point.
  • Perform continuity checks through the GV2 and contactor, validate grounding integrity, and confirm supply conditions are within the motor circuit's design parameters.
  • After correcting settings, wiring, or hardware, re-energize in a controlled manner, monitor protection behavior during motor starts, and update all panel and project documentation with the verified coordination data before returning the circuit to service.

Prevention: Designing and Commissioning for Correct GV2 Coordination

Coordination problems are significantly easier to prevent than to diagnose post-fault. For panel builders and OEM designers, integrating coordination checks into the design phase — before hardware is specified and purchased — avoids the downstream cost of replacing mismatched GV2 units, contactors, or upstream devices after installation. The coordination tables for TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers should be referenced at the component selection stage, with the prospective short-circuit current at the MCC section calculated and confirmed before finalizing the GV2 and contactor combination.

Fault-level studies should be treated as living documents, not one-time deliverables. Any change to the supply transformer, feeder arrangement, or MCC architecture that could affect prospective short-circuit current at installed GV2 locations should trigger a coordination review for affected circuits. This is particularly important in manufacturing and process environments where supply infrastructure evolves over time while the motor control panels remain nominally unchanged.

Maintenance personnel working on MCCs containing TeSys GV2 devices benefit from basic familiarity with coordination concepts — specifically, the difference between type 1 and type 2 coordination, what the GV2 setting dial controls, and where to find the coordination tables. A technician who understands that the contactor catalogue number must match the listed combination for type 2 coordination will catch substitution errors during routine maintenance that would otherwise go undetected until a fault occurs.

Expert Verdict: Treating GV2 Coordination as a System Problem

The TeSys GV2 motor circuit breaker performs reliably when it is correctly selected, correctly set, and used within a verified coordination chain. The device is well suited to motor protection in MCCs, panel builds, and OEM machinery across manufacturing, process, water and wastewater, HVAC, and material handling applications — provided the combination with the contactor and upstream protection is validated against the Schneider coordination tables at the actual fault level present at the installation point. Engineers and technicians who work through the system — motor FLC, GV2 rating and setting, contactor compatibility, upstream selectivity, and fault current — find that the coordination tables give clear answers. The problems arise when steps are skipped.

The limits are real and must be respected. Type 2 coordination is not a general capability of the TeSys GV2 family — it is specific to listed combinations at declared fault currents. If the installed GV2 and contactor combination is not in the coordination tables for the required type and fault level, no amount of setting adjustment will produce type 2 behavior. In those situations, the correct action is to replace the combination with a listed one, or to reduce the prospective fault current at the installation point through upstream current-limiting protection. Similarly, magnetic-only GV2 units are not appropriate as the sole protection device where overload protection is required — this is a selection error that must be resolved by replacing the device, not adjusting settings.

From a procurement standpoint, many persistent GV2 coordination problems are resolved by sourcing the correct replacement GV2 unit or contactor that corresponds to a listed combination in the tables — not the nearest available substitute. When that requires identifying a specific catalogue number and confirming availability quickly, working with a specialist distributor is the most direct path. Check current availability of TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers and compatible TeSys contactors at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide — and use the contact page for volume requirements or urgent sourcing needs.

For volume pricing or to confirm lead time before committing to a panel build or replacement, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we source and ship worldwide.

What Engineers and Technicians Report Getting Wrong with GV2 Coordination

Across industrial automation forums and engineering communities, GV-series motor breaker coordination generates consistent discussion — and consistent frustration. The most frequently reported scenario involves a motor circuit that appears to be correctly built using components from the same product family, only for a fault event to reveal that the contactor was not actually part of a listed type 2 combination with the installed GV2. The assumption that same-brand components automatically coordinate is one of the most persistent misunderstandings in motor circuit protection. Manufacturer coordination tables exist precisely because this assumption is wrong — compatibility must be verified by catalogue number at a specific fault level, not inferred from brand.

A second recurring theme is the discovery — often during an audit or after a fault — that the GV2 setting was never adjusted from its factory position to match the motor's full-load current. Factory-default settings are not motor-specific. When a technician installs a replacement GV2 and energizes the circuit without checking the setting against the motor nameplate, the device is neither protecting the motor correctly nor operating within its validated coordination envelope. Engineers who document GV2 settings in their commissioning records and require a sign-off step at first energization report significantly fewer repeat nuisance trip incidents.

A third area of reported difficulty involves situations where the fault level at the MCC has changed — a supply transformer was upsized, a feeder was reconfigured — but no coordination review was triggered. The installed GV2 and contactor combination may have been correct at original commissioning and no longer valid at the new fault level. When subsequent faults cause contactor damage or incorrect device operation, the root cause is not obvious without a current fault-level study. Field practitioners who have worked through these problems consistently recommend treating any significant supply-side change as an automatic trigger for a GV2 coordination review in affected MCC sections.

When to Replace Hardware and When to Escalate

A GV2 that has sustained visible physical damage after a fault — cracked housing, deformed terminals, charring — must be replaced. The same applies to a contactor that shows welded contacts, burn marks on contact faces, or structural damage to the housing. Neither device should be reset, reinstalled, or returned to service after visible fault damage, regardless of whether it appears to operate mechanically.

Replacement is also required when the installed GV2 or contactor catalogue number is not listed in the Schneider coordination tables for the required coordination type at the actual fault level. Adjustment and rewiring cannot substitute for a correctly specified combination. When sourcing replacements, confirm the exact catalogue numbers that appear in the coordination tables for the required GV2 frame, coordination type, and fault level before ordering.

Escalation to engineering is required when: the fault current at the installation point exceeds the published limits for all available GV2 and contactor combinations; when repeated trips continue after wiring and settings have been verified correct; when coordination data for the installed combination is conflicting or absent; or when large motor changes or new starting methods such as soft starters have been introduced without a corresponding coordination review.

Wrong-Part and Wrong-Combination Prevention Checklist

Before specifying, ordering, or installing any TeSys GV2 unit or associated contactor, work through this checklist in full. Do not skip items — each represents a category of coordination failure that has been reported in the field.

  1. Confirm GV2 rating and setting against the motor nameplate and coordination tables before changing hardware.
  2. Verify that the fault level at the MCC section where the GV2 is installed has been calculated and is within the published coordination limits for the selected GV2 and contactor combination.
  3. Check that the exact GV2 catalogue number and contactor catalogue number appear together in the Schneider coordination tables for the required coordination type (type 1 or type 2) at the actual fault current.
  4. Confirm whether the installed GV2 is a thermal-magnetic or magnetic-only unit and verify that the protection configuration matches the circuit's overload protection requirements.
  5. Verify that the upstream protective device — MCCB or fuse — type and settings are consistent with the coordination tables and that selective operation has been confirmed, not assumed.
  6. After any motor replacement, confirm that the new motor FLC is within the existing GV2 frame's adjustment range and that the setting has been updated to match the new motor nameplate data.
  7. After any supply-side system change that could affect prospective short-circuit current, update the fault-level study and re-verify all GV2 coordination combinations in affected MCC sections.
  8. Confirm that auxiliary contact wiring for trip signaling to PLCs or control systems has been verified against panel schematics and that NO/NC assignments match the control logic.
  9. Ensure coordination documentation — combination tables, fault study, device settings — is stored in the panel files and updated after any modification.
  10. If the installed combination cannot meet the required coordination type at the actual fault level with available device ratings, escalate to engineering for redesign — do not attempt to compensate through settings adjustment alone.

If you need to source a replacement TeSys GV2 unit or a verified contactor combination, check current availability at LeadTime.ca — or contact the team directly for specific catalogue numbers and lead times before your next panel build or repair.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my upstream breaker tripping on short-circuit instead of the GV2?

This indicates a selective coordination failure. The most likely causes are that the upstream device's instantaneous trip threshold is set too low relative to the GV2's characteristics at the fault current level present, or the GV2 and upstream combination has not been validated in the Schneider coordination tables at the actual prospective short-circuit current. Verify the upstream settings against the coordination guidance, confirm the fault level at the MCC section, and use the coordination tables to check whether the installed combination supports selective operation at that fault level.

How do I confirm whether I actually have type 2 coordination in my installed panel?

Type 2 coordination requires three verified conditions simultaneously: the GV2 catalogue number and contactor catalogue number appear together in the Schneider coordination tables as a type 2 combination; the prospective short-circuit current at the installation point does not exceed the fault current limit stated in the tables for that combination; and the upstream protective device type and settings are consistent with the coordination data. If any of these conditions cannot be confirmed from current documentation and a current fault-level calculation, type 2 coordination should not be assumed — the combination must be re-verified.

Can I use a contactor from a different manufacturer with a TeSys GV2 and still achieve type 2 coordination?

The Schneider coordination tables list specific TeSys contactor catalogue numbers for validated combinations. A contactor not listed in those tables for the specific GV2 unit is an unvalidated combination — there is no published basis for claiming type 1 or type 2 coordination. If the application requires a defined coordination type, the combination must use components listed in the manufacturer's tables at the relevant fault current level.

What should I check first when a GV2 keeps nuisance-tripping during motor start?

Start by comparing the GV2 thermal-magnetic setting to the motor's full-load current from the nameplate and confirming the GV2 frame rating covers the motor FLC. Factory-default settings are not motor-specific and must be adjusted at commissioning. If the setting is confirmed correct for the motor FLC and the motor starting profile, review whether the starting method — direct-on-line starting — is generating inrush current that exceeds the GV2's magnetic trip threshold. Voltage drop at the MCC during starting should also be checked if multiple motors start simultaneously.

Do I need to revisit GV2 coordination when I install a new motor?

Yes. When a motor is replaced, the new motor's full-load current and starting profile must be compared against the existing GV2 setting and frame rating. If the new motor FLC falls outside the installed GV2's adjustment range, the GV2 must be replaced with the correct rating. Even if the FLC is within range, the setting dial must be updated to match the new nameplate data. A change to a significantly larger motor or a different starting method — for example, moving from direct-on-line to soft starter — may also require a full coordination review.

What do I do if the fault level at my MCC section now exceeds all available GV2 coordination table limits?

This is an engineering redesign situation, not a settings adjustment. If no available GV2 and contactor combination in the coordination tables supports the required coordination type at the measured or calculated fault level, the options are to introduce current-limiting fuses or other upstream protection to reduce the prospective fault current to within the tables' limits, or to redesign the MCC section protection architecture. Do not continue operating with a combination that cannot be validated at the actual fault level — escalate to engineering immediately.

Why Order Replacement TeSys GV2 Hardware Through LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers and associated contactors worldwide — sourcing by exact catalogue number for coordination-validated combinations.
  • Hard-to-find or specific-frame GV2 units that are out of stock locally can often be sourced through LeadTime.ca's distributor network across multiple regions.
  • Volume pricing is available for panel builders and OEMs replacing multiple units — contact the team directly for project quantities.
  • Fast response for urgent sourcing needs — suitable for maintenance and repair situations where lead time directly affects production uptime.
  • The team can confirm catalogue numbers against your coordination requirements before the order is placed, reducing the risk of receiving a substitute that does not match your validated combination.

Product page: Check current TeSys GV2 availability and pricing at LeadTime.ca
Contact: Reach the LeadTime.ca team for quotes, lead times, and volume orders

At-a-Glance Summary

  • TeSys GV2 motor circuit breakers are available in thermal-magnetic (overload and short-circuit protection) and magnetic-only (short-circuit protection only) variants — correct selection depends on whether a separate overload relay is installed.
  • Type 2 coordination requires the exact GV2 and contactor catalogue numbers to appear together in the Schneider coordination tables at the prospective short-circuit current level present at the installation point — it is not a general property of same-brand combinations.
  • The GV2 thermal-magnetic setting dial must be adjusted to the motor's full-load current from the nameplate — factory defaults are not motor-specific and must never be left in place after installation.
  • The most commonly missed step in persistent coordination problems is an outdated fault-level study — supply-side changes can raise prospective short-circuit current above the coordination table limits for existing installed combinations.
  • A contactor showing welded contacts or structural damage after a fault is confirmation that type 2 coordination was not achieved — the combination must be replaced with a listed type 2 pairing before the circuit returns to service.
  • Reversed line/load connections, miswired auxiliary contacts producing false PLC trip signals, and settings left at factory defaults are the three most frequently reported field wiring and configuration errors for GV2 circuits.
  • Any GV2 or contactor with visible physical damage after a fault must be replaced — never reset and reinstalled.
  • Escalate to engineering when fault current exceeds all available coordination table limits, when repeated trips continue after correct wiring and settings are confirmed, or when no valid coordination documentation exists for the installed combination.

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