Schneider Electric GV2ME14 — Motor Circuit Breaker Buyer Review

By Abdullah Zahid
15 min read
Schneider Electric GV2ME14 TeSys three-pole thermomagnetic motor circuit breaker for 400V DIN rail panel installation

Schneider Electric GV2ME14 Motor Circuit Breaker — TeSys GV2ME Thermomagnetic Trip, 6 to 10 A, 3-Pole: Full Specifications, Pricing, and Selection Guide

If you are specifying motor protection for a 4 kW load at 400V or a 2.2 kW load at 230V and your motor full-load current falls between 6 and 10 A, the Schneider Electric GV2ME14 is the part most controls engineers reach for first. It is a three-pole thermomagnetic motor circuit breaker from the TeSys family, adjustable across the full 6–10 A thermal range, with a fixed 138 A magnetic trip threshold and a 45 mm DIN rail footprint that fits where most alternatives will not. The combination of thermal overload protection and short-circuit interruption in a single 45 mm device eliminates the external overload relay that traditional contactor-only approaches require.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the GV2ME14 — and Who Shouldn't

The GV2ME14 is the correct choice when all of the following are true for your application:

  • Motor nameplate full-load current (FLC) is within the 6–10 A adjustable thermal range — not above it and not below 6 A
  • Supply voltage is three-phase AC at 230 V, 400 V, or up to 690 VAC maximum — single-phase and DC supplies are not compatible
  • Motor duty is AC-3 (direct-on-line starting and switching) at or below 4 kW at 400 V or 2.2 kW at 230 V
  • Your control enclosure has a 35 mm DIN rail and can accommodate a 45 mm wide, 89 mm tall, 78.2 mm deep device
  • Thermomagnetic protection is sufficient — no remote alarm output, network communication, or electronic trip curve adjustment is required

If your motor FLC exceeds 10 A, or if you need more than 4 kW at 400 V, the GV2ME16 (7–13 A, 6 kW at 400 V) or GV2ME20 (10–16 A, 9 kW at 400 V) are the correct next steps — same DIN rail footprint, higher power envelope.

On this page:

What the GV2ME14 Actually Does in a Motor Control System

The Schneider Electric GV2ME14 is classified as a motor circuit breaker — not a general-purpose circuit breaker and not a standalone thermal overload relay. The distinction matters operationally. A motor circuit breaker combines two protection functions that traditional designs split across two separate devices: thermal overload protection (covering gradual overheating from sustained overcurrent) and magnetic short-circuit protection (covering instantaneous faults). In the GV2ME14, thermal protection is adjustable across the 6–10 A range to match the motor's nameplate FLC precisely. Magnetic trip is fixed at 138 A, which is 13 times the rated current — a threshold calibrated to avoid nuisance tripping during motor inrush while still catching a genuine short circuit quickly.

The device is rated for AC-3 duty, the IEC 60947-4-1 designation for motor starting and switching applications involving frequent energisation under load. The GV2ME14 is rated for 100,000 electrical operating cycles at AC-3 duty at 440 V — a service life figure that reflects real industrial shift patterns over years of continuous operation. Mechanical life (no-load switching) is also rated at 100,000 cycles. Power dissipation is 2.5 W per pole, totalling 7.5 W for the three-pole assembly, which panel designers need to factor into enclosure thermal calculations. The device operates across a -20°C to +60°C ambient temperature range, making it appropriate for both cold storage facilities and warm machine rooms.

The manual front lever provides direct local control — open, off, or run — which means the GV2ME14 can function as a standalone direct-on-line starter for simple applications without a contactor. For more complex control strategies, it pairs directly with TeSys D contactors, where the breaker handles protection and the contactor handles remote switching via PLC or pushbutton station.

Where the GV2ME14 Sits in a Typical Motor Control Architecture

The GV2ME14 sits between the upstream distribution protection and the motor load — providing the last line of overcurrent and short-circuit protection before current reaches the motor terminals.

  • Upstream: Main distribution breaker or fused disconnect feeding the control cabinet with three-phase AC supply (230 V, 400 V, or up to 690 VAC)
  • GV2ME14: Snapped onto 35 mm DIN rail; input terminals (top) receive L1, L2, L3 phase conductors from the upstream supply
  • Output path A — DOL configuration: GV2ME14 output terminals (bottom) connect directly to motor terminals for simple direct-on-line starting with manual front lever control
  • Output path B — Contactor configuration: GV2ME14 output feeds the main contacts of a TeSys D AC-3 contactor; contactor coil is switched by PLC, pushbutton, or control relay for remote start/stop
  • Downstream: Three-phase motor (1.5–4 kW at 400 V or 1.5–2.2 kW at 230 V) receiving protected supply from breaker or contactor output

Typical Applications and Industries for the GV2ME14

In general industrial manufacturing, the GV2ME14 is a common first choice for protecting small conveyor drive motors, coolant pump motors on machine tools, and hydraulic power unit drives where motor current falls in the 6–10 A range. Its AC-3 duty rating supports the frequent start-stop cycling that conveyor and pump applications demand, and the adjustable thermal range means a single part covers the mixed motor fleet typically found in a manufacturing cell.

HVAC installations use the GV2ME14 for fan motor and chiller pump protection in commercial and industrial buildings. The -20°C lower operating limit is relevant for installations in plant rooms exposed to cold ambient conditions, while the +60°C upper limit covers warm electrical rooms without supplemental cooling.

Water treatment plants and chemical processing facilities specify the GV2ME14 for small pump motor protection where CE marking and IEC 60947-2 compliance documentation is mandatory for regulatory audits. The breadth of standards compliance — including EN 60204, IEC 60947-1/2/4-1, UL 508, VDE 0113/0660, and CSA C22.2 — means a single part satisfies European, North American, and broader international certification requirements without specifying region-specific variants.

In retrofit and brownfield modernisation projects, the GV2ME14 is a direct physical replacement for legacy Telemecanique GV2ME14 units, with an identical 45 mm footprint and pin-compatible terminal layout. Panel redesign cost is eliminated — existing DIN rail, cable entries, and enclosure cutouts require no modification.

Application Typical Deployment
DOL motor starter, small machines GV2ME14 with NO-OFF-RUN pushbutton station; no contactor required for simple on/off control
Multi-motor control cabinet GV2ME14 paired with TeSys D AC-3 contactor; PLC controls contactor coil for remote start/stop
HVAC fan and pump protection Standalone or contactor-paired installation; thermal setting matched to fan motor nameplate FLC
Legacy Telemecanique panel retrofit Direct drop-in replacement; same DIN rail footprint; no panel redesign required
OEM machine export equipment Used where CE marking and multi-standard compliance (IEC, UL, CSA) must be documented for end-customer audit
Water treatment pump protection Installed for small pump motor isolation and overload protection; IEC 60947-2 compliance satisfies regulatory requirements

GV2ME14 Specifications: What Engineers Need to Confirm Before Ordering

Specification Rating
Maximum Rated Voltage 690 VAC (50/60 Hz); typical installations at 230 V or 400 V
Thermal Adjustment Range 6–10 A (user-adjustable; single SKU covers multiple motor sizes)
Magnetic Trip Current 138 A (fixed; 13× rated current)
Breaking Capacity (Icu) 3 kA at 690 VAC per IEC 60947-2
Power Rating AC-3 at 400 V 4 kW
Power Rating AC-3 at 230 V 2.2 kW
DIN Rail Footprint (Width) 45 mm (35 mm standard DIN rail; vertical or horizontal mounting)
Dimensions (H × D) 89 mm height × 78.2 mm depth
Protection / Impact Rating IP20 / IK04
Ambient Operating Temperature -20°C to +60°C

Full technical specifications are available on the product page at LeadTime.ca.

GV2ME14 vs. GV2ME16, GV2ME20, and Contactor-Plus-Relay Alternatives

The most common selection error in the TeSys GV2ME family is ordering the GV2ME14 for a motor that actually draws more than 10 A at full load. The table below shows where the GV2ME14 fits relative to the next two variants and to the traditional multi-device approach.

Option Current Range AC-3 Power at 400 V DIN Rail Width Key Difference
GV2ME14 (this unit) 6–10 A 4 kW 45 mm Thermomagnetic; adjustable thermal range; compact single device
GV2ME16 7–13 A 6 kW 45 mm Same footprint; higher motor power support; choose for FLC 10–13 A
GV2ME20 10–16 A 9 kW 45 mm Higher still; covers motors up to approximately 9 kW at 400 V
Contactor + thermal overload relay Varies by relay Varies 100–150 mm combined Two separate devices; more wiring; wider footprint; more alarm/monitoring options
Legacy Telemecanique GV2ME14 6–10 A 4 kW 45 mm Predecessor product; GV2ME14 is the direct pin-compatible replacement

If your motor's full-load current exceeds 10 A or your load exceeds 4 kW at 400 V, the GV2ME16 is the correct next step — same physical mounting, no panel rework required. Check current availability at LeadTime.ca and contact the team if you need help confirming the right variant for your motor nameplate data.

Expert Verdict: Is the GV2ME14 the Right Motor Breaker for Your Project?

The Schneider Electric GV2ME14 is the type of part that earns its position in a control cabinet not through novelty but through consistent, well-defined performance over time. The thermomagnetic trip mechanism — thermal protection adjustable across 6–10 A and a fixed 138 A magnetic threshold — handles the two fault conditions most damaging to small AC motors: sustained overload and instantaneous short circuit. Delivering both functions in a 45 mm wide device that mounts directly to a standard 35 mm DIN rail, with 100,000 electrical operating cycles of rated life, makes it a strong default choice for OEM machine builders, panel integrators, and facilities engineers standardising on the Schneider TeSys family. Its compliance breadth — EN 60204, IEC 60947-1/2/4-1, UL 508, VDE, and CSA C22.2 — means a single part number satisfies audit requirements across European, North American, and international projects without requesting region-specific variants.

The honest limits of the GV2ME14 are equally clear and should be respected before ordering. It is a direct-on-line protection device only — not a substitute for a soft-starter controller and not suitable for VFD input protection where trip curve coordination with the drive's internal protection requires a different approach. It is three-pole AC only: single-phase motor circuits and DC supplies require a different product family entirely. Motors exceeding 4 kW at 400 V or 2.2 kW at 230 V are outside its protection envelope — the GV2ME16 (6 kW at 400 V) or GV2ME20 (9 kW at 400 V) are the straightforward upgrades at identical DIN rail width. Applications requiring remote fault alarm reporting or network-level diagnostic integration will find the GV2ME14's thermomagnetic-only architecture limiting — a thermal relay with auxiliary contacts would be more appropriate in those scenarios.

From a procurement standpoint, the GV2ME14 is a mature, globally stocked part with predictable availability through established distributor channels. European distributor stock is generally reliable for rapid turnaround. North American and Canadian lead times vary by regional holdings — importing directly when regional stock is depleted typically adds two to four weeks. Buying through a specialist industrial automation distributor rather than a general marketplace provides pre-sale confirmation that the part matches your motor nameplate, accurate lead time visibility before you commit to a build schedule, and post-sale support if an ordering error needs to be resolved quickly. View current pricing and stock status for the GV2ME14 at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide.

For volume pricing, project-level quantities, or to confirm lead time before locking in a panel build schedule, contact the LeadTime.ca team directly — we ship worldwide.

Why Specialist Advice Matters When Specifying the GV2ME14

The GV2ME14 generates almost no public forum discussion — a characteristic shared by many mature, well-executed industrial components that simply work as specified. Controls engineers who have worked with TeSys motor breakers for years rarely need to post troubleshooting questions because the failure modes are limited and the installation requirements are well-documented. That absence of community noise, however, can be misleading for engineers encountering the product for the first time or specifying it for an unusual application. The critical specification decisions happen before the part arrives on the DIN rail, not after — and the wrong-part mistakes most commonly seen by experienced distributors are consistent and preventable.

The single most common ordering error is selecting the GV2ME14 based on the 10 A maximum label without checking whether the motor nameplate FLC actually falls within the 6–10 A adjustable range. If the motor draws less than 6 A at full load, the GV2ME14's thermal range begins above the motor's operating point — the correct variant is a smaller-rated unit. If the motor draws more than 10 A, the thermal protection will be set at its ceiling and any current exceedance goes unprotected. Neither scenario involves a defective part — both involve a part specified without reference to the motor nameplate.

The second recurring mistake involves supply configuration. The GV2ME14 is explicitly a three-pole, three-phase AC device. Field technicians under time pressure have attempted to use it on single-phase 230 V circuits on the reasoning that 230 V is well within the 690 VAC maximum rating. The voltage is within range; the phase count is not. A three-pole device wired to a single-phase supply does not provide correct magnetic trip coordination and should not be used in that configuration. When community data is sparse and the installation context has any ambiguity, the value of speaking with a specialist before ordering — rather than after a commissioning failure — becomes concrete. The checklist below captures the verification points that experienced specifiers apply before placing the purchase order.

Wiring and Installation: What to Verify Before You Commission

  • De-energise the supply and apply full lockout-tagout (LOTO) at the main disconnect before touching any terminal — verify zero voltage with a calibrated multimeter before proceeding
  • Connect three-phase supply conductors to the top input terminals in standard L1-L2-L3 phase sequence (left to right); verify phase rotation with a phase-sequence tester before applying load to prevent reverse motor rotation
  • Tighten screw-stud clamp terminals to the torque specified in the manufacturer installation manual — typically in the range of 2–3 Nm for M4 screw terminals; under-torqued connections cause resistance heating and eventual thermal trip errors
  • Set the thermal adjustment dial to match the motor nameplate full-load current within the 6–10 A range before energising — setting at the 10 A ceiling for a motor with 7 A FLC degrades overload protection significantly
  • After installation, test the manual trip function using the front lever and verify the breaker resets correctly before handing off to operations — do not rely on visual inspection alone to confirm correct wiring; test under controlled no-load conditions first

For complete wiring diagrams, terminal labelling, and torque specifications, refer to the Schneider Electric installation manual supplied with the GV2ME14 or available through official Schneider documentation channels.

Compatible Accessories and System Expansion Options

The GV2ME14 is designed to integrate with the TeSys product ecosystem. The following accessories and companion devices are relevant to complete motor control solutions:

  • TeSys D AC-3 contactors: Pair with the GV2ME14 for remote-controlled motor starting and stopping via PLC output or pushbutton station; the GV2ME14 handles protection while the contactor handles switching
  • GV2G terminal strips: Compatible terminal block accessories for GV2ME series that simplify wiring connections and improve termination integrity in multi-breaker panel configurations
  • NO-OFF-RUN pushbutton stations: Used for direct local control in simple DOL configurations where no contactor is required; the GV2ME14 front lever interfaces with standard three-position pushbutton assemblies

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist for the GV2ME14

Before finalising your purchase order, work through each item below. These checks reflect the verification steps that prevent the most common specification and installation errors with the GV2ME14.

  1. Confirm motor nameplate voltage matches breaker rated voltage (GV2ME14 rated to 690VAC but must verify end-use voltage: 230V, 400V, or 690V)
  2. Verify motor full-load current does NOT exceed 10A thermal range (6-10A adjustable); if FLC is 12A+, order higher-rated variant
  3. Confirm supply is three-phase AC (GV2ME14 is 3-pole AC only; wrong for single-phase or DC)
  4. Check AC-3 duty cycle matches motor application (starting duty, not isolation-only; if isolation required, confirm through auxiliary contacts or separate device)
  5. Ensure enclosure supports DIN rail mounting (GV2ME14 requires 35mm DIN rail; snaps vertically or horizontally)
  6. Verify terminal type matches cable glands (screw-stud terminals with clamp blocks; accepts rigid or stranded wire up to specified gauge; compatible with GV2G terminal strips)
  7. Confirm breaking capacity (3 kA at 690VAC) exceeds short-circuit current at installation point per IEC 60947-2
  8. Check that thermal/magnetic coordination exists with upstream protection if part of multi-tier strategy (not specified in this brief; verify with system designer)

If any item on this checklist raises a question before you order, contact the LeadTime.ca team — our technical team can help confirm the right part against your motor nameplate data before the purchase order is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the GV2ME14 be used on a single-phase 230 V supply if the voltage is within the 690 VAC rating?

No. The GV2ME14 is a three-pole device rated for three-phase AC supplies. While 230 V is within the maximum rated voltage of 690 VAC, the three-pole design requires all three phases to be present for correct magnetic trip coordination. Wiring only two conductors across a single-phase supply will not provide the intended short-circuit protection and should not be done. Single-phase motor protection requires a different product from the Schneider range.

What happens if I set the thermal dial to 10 A but my motor only draws 7 A at full load?

The thermal protection will tolerate sustained current up to the set point before tripping — in this case, 10 A. A motor drawing 7 A FLC has approximately 3 A of headroom before the breaker begins its thermal trip sequence. This means the motor could sustain a meaningful overload for an extended period before the breaker responds, reducing the protection the device was selected to provide. Always set the thermal dial to match motor nameplate FLC, not to the maximum of the adjustment range.

Is the GV2ME14 a direct replacement for a legacy Telemecanique GV2ME14 without rewiring the panel?

Yes. The Schneider Electric GV2ME14 is the successor to the legacy Telemecanique GV2ME14 with an identical 45 mm DIN rail footprint and pin-compatible terminal layout. Existing DIN rail positions, cable entries, and enclosure cutouts require no modification. The thermal setting should be verified and re-recorded after replacement to confirm it still matches the connected motor's nameplate FLC.

Does the GV2ME14 provide any protection for soft-starter or VFD-connected motors?

The GV2ME14 is rated for AC-3 direct-on-line duty and is not designed to coordinate with the internal protection logic of soft-starters or variable frequency drives. Those applications require a protection strategy reviewed against the drive manufacturer's input protection requirements. Using the GV2ME14 upstream of a VFD or soft-starter is possible in some configurations, but the trip characteristics and coordination must be verified against the specific drive specification — this is not a default compatible pairing.

What does the 3 kA breaking capacity at 690 VAC mean, and how do I verify it is adequate for my installation?

Breaking capacity (Icu) is the maximum short-circuit current the breaker can safely interrupt at the rated voltage without damage to the device. The GV2ME14 is rated at 3 kA at 690 VAC per IEC 60947-2. Before installation, confirm that the prospective short-circuit current at the installation point — calculated from the upstream supply impedance — does not exceed 3 kA. This calculation is part of the IEC 60947-2 coordination requirements and should be verified by the system designer or a qualified electrical engineer for the specific installation.

How does the 7.5 W total power dissipation affect enclosure thermal design?

At 2.5 W per pole across the three-pole assembly, the GV2ME14 contributes 7.5 W of heat into the control enclosure at full rated current. In a panel with multiple motor breakers and contactors, this heat accumulates and must be accounted for in the enclosure thermal calculation. The GV2ME14's -20°C to +60°C ambient operating range defines the external temperature boundary; the internal enclosure temperature must remain within that limit under worst-case full-load operation of all installed devices.

Why Order the GV2ME14 from LeadTime.ca

  • Global shipping — LeadTime.ca ships the GV2ME14 worldwide; no geographic restriction on order placement
  • Pre-sale technical support — confirm your motor nameplate FLC and supply configuration match the GV2ME14 before the order goes in, not after commissioning
  • Lead time transparency — know whether the part ships from regional stock or requires import before you commit to a build schedule
  • Volume and project pricing — contact for current pricing on multi-unit or project-level orders; pricing is available on the product page for single-unit purchases
  • Hard-to-source and discontinued parts — if a variant is backordered or end-of-life, the LeadTime.ca team can identify the correct current replacement

At-a-Glance Summary

  • Product: Schneider Electric GV2ME14 — TeSys GV2ME thermomagnetic motor circuit breaker, 3-pole, 6–10 A adjustable thermal range
  • Magnetic trip threshold: 138 A (fixed, 13× rated current)
  • Maximum rated voltage: 690 VAC; typical operating voltages 230 V and 400 V
  • AC-3 power rating: 4 kW at 400 V; 2.2 kW at 230 V
  • Breaking capacity: 3 kA at 690 VAC per IEC 60947-2
  • DIN rail footprint: 45 mm wide, 89 mm tall, 78.2 mm deep; 35 mm standard DIN rail, vertical or horizontal mounting
  • Weight: 0.26 kg
  • Protection and impact rating: IP20 / IK04
  • Operating temperature: -20°C to +60°C ambient
  • Service life: 100,000 mechanical and electrical operating cycles at AC-3 duty
  • Power dissipation: 2.5 W per pole (7.5 W total for 3-pole assembly)
  • Standards: EN 60204, IEC 60947-1/2/4-1, UL 508, VDE 0113/0660, CSA C22.2, NF C 63 series
  • Direct physical replacement for legacy Telemecanique GV2ME14 — no panel redesign required
  • Next variant up: GV2ME16 (7–13 A, 6 kW at 400 V) — same 45 mm footprint

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