Schneider Electric GV2ME21 — 17-23A Manual Starter Buying Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
15 min read
Schneider Electric GV2ME21 TeSys Deca manual motor starter 17-23A thermal magnetic DIN rail mounted in industrial control panel

Schneider Electric GV2ME21 TeSys Deca Manual Starter and Protector — 17-23A Thermal Magnetic Motor Protection Buying Guide

If you are a controls technician or panel builder specifying a manual motor starter for a 3-phase motor with a full-load amperage between 17 and 23A, the Schneider Electric GV2ME21 is the model you are likely evaluating. This TeSys Deca Manual Starter and Protector combines push-button ON/OFF control, Class 10 thermal overload protection, and 327A instantaneous magnetic short-circuit tripping in a single DIN-rail device rated to 690V AC — eliminating the need for a separate contactor, overload relay, and circuit breaker in one compact 45mm wide enclosure.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part for your motor, check current pricing and availability for the GV2ME21 at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the GV2ME21 — and Who Shouldn't

The Schneider Electric GV2ME21 is the right choice for engineers and technicians who need forward-only manual motor control with integrated thermal and magnetic protection in a compact DIN-rail form factor. Order with confidence if all of the following apply to your application:

  • Motor full-load amperage (FLA) falls within the 17 to 23A adjustment range — this is the most critical criterion
  • System voltage does not exceed 690V AC at 50/60 Hz
  • Motor power does not exceed 18.5 kW at 690V, 11 kW at 500V, or 9 kW at 400/415V
  • Screw clamp terminal connection is compatible with your panel wiring practice and wire gauge
  • Your control panel has a 35mm DIN rail with at least 45mm horizontal space and 89mm vertical clearance
  • Forward-only manual control is sufficient — no reversing operation required

If your motor FLA falls outside the 17-23A range, the GV2ME21 is not the correct model. For lower amperage motors, consider the GV2ME14 (6-10A) or GV2ME20 (9-14A). For motors drawing more than 23A, the GV2ME25 (24-32A) is the correct next step. If you require reversing control or electronic overload monitoring, a different product family is needed.

On this page:

What the GV2ME21 Actually Does in a Control Panel

Most 3-phase motor control installations stack three separate devices: a contactor for switching, a thermal overload relay for protection, and a circuit breaker or fuse for short-circuit clearing. The Schneider Electric GV2ME21 collapses all three functions into a single 45mm wide unit that mounts on a standard 35mm DIN rail. The push-button ON/OFF control puts the technician directly in command of the motor start and stop — no auxiliary control circuit, no coil, no external relay logic required.

Inside the device, a bimetallic thermal element monitors motor current continuously. It is ambient-compensated, meaning panel temperature variations do not cause false trips the way uncompensated bimetals can. The Class 10 trip characteristic means the element will trip within the window defined by the IEC standard when current reaches between 7x and 10x rated FLA — fast enough to protect the motor windings, slow enough to ride through normal motor inrush without nuisance tripping. This matters on applications like pumps and fans where inrush current during start is typically 3 to 7 times the running FLA for a brief period.

The magnetic trip element operates instantaneously at 327A, providing short-circuit protection without any intentional time delay. Phase failure sensitivity is built in — if one of the three incoming phases is lost during operation, the thermal element detects the resulting current imbalance and trips before the motor is damaged. The manual test-trip button on the front face lets a technician verify that the protection mechanism is functional without waiting for a real fault to occur, which is a requirement for many maintenance programs and compliance audits.

The GV2ME21 is rated for continuous duty with 100,000 mechanical cycles and 100,000 electrical cycles at AC-3 duty at 440V per IEC 60947-2 and IEC 60947-4-1. That durability rating supports a long service life in production environments where the starter is operated regularly across shifts. The device carries UL 508 listing, CSA C 22.2 No. 14-05 certification (ECSA type), CE marking, and ATEX approval — a combination that covers compliance documentation requirements for North American facilities, Canadian installations, European OEM equipment, and hazardous area applications simultaneously.

Typical System Architecture for the GV2ME21

The GV2ME21 sits between the incoming supply protection and the motor terminals — it is the control and protection layer for a single motor branch. Here is how it fits into a typical installation:

  • Incoming 3-phase supply (400V, 500V, or 690V AC at 50/60 Hz) enters the panel through main disconnect or upstream feeder breaker
  • Branch circuit feeds the GV2ME21 line-side terminals (L1, L2, L3) via DIN rail wiring duct or directly from a distribution block
  • The GV2ME21 provides simultaneous push-button ON/OFF control, Class 10 thermal overload protection, and 327A magnetic short-circuit tripping at this point in the circuit
  • Load-side terminals (T1, T2, T3) connect via screw clamp to motor lead cables running to the motor junction box
  • Optional: padlock provision on the GV2ME21 supports lockout/tagout procedures directly at the device without requiring a separate disconnect switch

Typical Applications and Deployment Scenarios

The GV2ME21 is specified most frequently for process pumps, fans, compressors, and conveyors where the motor is started and stopped manually by an operator or maintenance technician, and where the full-load amperage sits in the 17 to 23A range. In food and beverage facilities, the compact DIN-rail form factor and IP20 finger-safe terminals make it straightforward to integrate into hygienic panel designs. In water treatment, the Class 10 protection and phase failure sensitivity are valued for pump motor applications where single-phasing is a real operational risk.

HVAC applications frequently use the GV2ME21 for fan and pump motors in air handling units, chillers, and cooling towers — applications where the 9 kW rating at 400/415V covers most small-to-mid-range fan motors common in building services. In mining and offshore environments where 690V systems are standard, the 18.5 kW rating at 690V and 3 kA breaking capacity at 690V make the GV2ME21 a practical single-device solution that satisfies the high-breaking-capacity requirements often written into project specifications for those sectors.

OEM panel builders specifying equipment for export find the multi-standard certification profile (UL 508, CSA, CE, ATEX) particularly valuable — it allows the same BOM line item to satisfy compliance documentation for both North American and European customer deliveries without substituting a different SKU for each market.

Application Typical Deployment
Process pump (water treatment, food and beverage) Single-motor starter in decentralized control panel; direct DIN-rail mount; 400V or 690V supply
HVAC fan or air handling unit motor Manual control in building services panel; 9 kW at 400/415V covers most small-to-mid fan motor sizes
Conveyor drive motor Standalone forward-only starter in machine control cabinet; Class 10 protection rides through belt-start inrush
Mining or offshore 690V installation 18.5 kW rating and 3 kA breaking capacity at 690V meets high-breaking-capacity project specs without external fuse in many configurations
OEM equipment for export markets Single SKU satisfies UL 508, CSA, CE, and ATEX documentation requirements across North American and European customer deliveries
Retrofit of legacy 3-phase manual starter DIN-rail replacement for older starters in panels being standardized to Schneider Electric GV2 family across multiple motor sizes

GV2ME21 Specifications: What You Need to Make a Purchase Decision

Specification Value
Thermal Protection Adjustment Range 17 to 23 A (adjustable with screwdriver)
Rated Insulation Voltage (Ui) 690V AC, 50/60 Hz
Motor Power at 690V / 500V / 400V 18.5 kW / 11 kW / 9 kW
Breaking Capacity (Icu) 3 kA at 690V AC 50/60 Hz
Magnetic Tripping Current 327 A instantaneous
Trip Class Class 10 per IEC 60947-4-1
Mechanical / Electrical Durability 100,000 cycles (mechanical); 100,000 cycles AC-3 at 440V
Dimensions (H x W x D) 89 mm x 45 mm x 78.2 mm
Degree of Protection IP20 per IEC 60529
Certifications UL 508, CSA C 22.2 No. 14-05, CE, ATEX, IEC 60947-1/-2/-4-1

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

GV2ME21 vs. Other GV2M Family Models: Which One Is Right for Your Motor?

The GV2M family covers a broad current range across multiple models. The GV2ME21 is the correct choice only when motor FLA falls within the 17 to 23A adjustment range. Ordering the wrong model based on motor horsepower or kilowatt nameplate alone — without confirming actual FLA at your site voltage — is the most common ordering error in this product family.

Model Adjustment Range Max Motor Power at 400V Max Motor Power at 690V
GV2ME02 2.5 to 4 A 1.1 kW —
GV2ME08 4 to 6.3 A 2.2 kW —
GV2ME14 6 to 10 A 4 kW —
GV2ME20 9 to 14 A 5.5 kW —
GV2ME21 17 to 23 A 9 kW 18.5 kW
GV2ME25 24 to 32 A 15 kW —

If your motor FLA is at or above 24A, the GV2ME25 is the correct model — check current availability of GV2ME21 and related models at LeadTime.ca or contact the team to confirm which variant ships fastest for your timeline.

Expert Verdict: Is the GV2ME21 Worth Specifying?

The Schneider Electric GV2ME21 is the right device for maintenance technicians managing 400V to 690V industrial panels, panel builders constructing modular motor control centers, and OEM manufacturers shipping equipment into both North American and European markets. Its Class 10 bimetallic thermal element with ambient compensation reduces nuisance tripping on motor inrush in temperature-variable enclosures, and the 100,000-cycle durability rating provides a credible service life argument in continuous-duty industrial environments. The 3 kA breaking capacity at 690V and the combined UL 508, CSA, CE, and ATEX certification coverage make the GV2ME21 a practical single-SKU solution that satisfies compliance documentation requirements across most jurisdictions where 3-phase motor control is installed. For facilities standardizing on the Schneider Electric GV2 family across multiple motor sizes, the GV2ME21 sits at the mid-range of the family and offers straightforward thermal-magnetic operation without any electronic components or software dependency.

The GV2ME21 has real limits that matter for procurement. It is a forward-only manual control device — if your application requires reversing operation, a different product family is required from the outset. The 9 kW ceiling at 400/415V is frequently underestimated: buyers who see the 18.5 kW headline rating and assume it applies at all voltages end up with a device that nuisance-trips or runs unprotected under actual load. Single-phase motor applications are outside the scope of this device entirely. And for applications requiring electronic overload monitoring, remote diagnostics, or integration with a smart motor control system, the bimetallic thermal element in the GV2ME21 offers no data output — a different protection technology is needed. The GV2ME20 (9-14A) and GV2ME25 (24-32A) are the correct adjacent models if FLA falls outside the 17-23A window.

From a procurement standpoint, the GV2ME21 is an established product in the Schneider Electric TeSys Deca portfolio and is typically stocked by authorized industrial distributors. Ordering through a specialist distributor rather than a general electrical wholesaler matters here because correct application requires confirming FLA, voltage-specific power rating, and short-circuit coordination before the order is placed — not after the device arrives at site. Specialist distributors carry certified product knowledge alongside the inventory. View current pricing and availability for the GV2ME21 at LeadTime.ca — we ship worldwide and can support technical confirmation before you commit to a purchase.

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

What Engineers Need to Know Before Ordering the GV2ME21

Because community forum data for the GV2ME21 is sparse compared to the volume of technical documentation available from the manufacturer, the most reliable guidance comes from the ordering and installation patterns that cause problems in the field — and the checklist that prevents them. The single most consistent source of ordering errors on this model is the voltage-to-power derating table. A technician who knows that their motor is rated 15 kW and sees that the GV2ME21 is rated 18.5 kW may assume the device fits. At 690V, it does. At 400/415V — which is the supply voltage at the majority of North American and many European industrial sites — the GV2ME21 is rated only 9 kW. A 15 kW motor at 400V draws FLA that will exceed the 23A upper limit of this device's adjustment range. The motor and the starter are mismatched before the panel is even commissioned.

Terminal compatibility is a second area where technicians encounter surprises at installation time. The GV2ME21 uses screw clamp terminals with a tightening torque of 15.04 lbf.in (1.7 N.m). Wire gauge must be verified against the terminal before the cable is cut and dressed. A wire that is marginally too large for the terminal will not seat correctly, and an under-torqued screw clamp connection on a 23A motor circuit creates a resistance heating point that will fail over time. This is not a product defect — it is a pre-installation verification step that is frequently skipped when technicians are working under time pressure.

The magnetic trip current of 327A is fixed and is not field-adjustable. In group motor installations where the GV2ME21 is protecting one branch in a shared busbar arrangement, the coordination between the 327A instantaneous trip and the upstream fuse or breaker must be verified by the responsible electrical engineer. Assuming that the GV2ME21's internal short-circuit protection will always coordinate with whatever upstream device is already installed is not a safe assumption — it requires a deliberate coordination study. LeadTime.ca's technical team can assist in confirming the right model and flagging coordination questions before an order is placed.

Wiring and Installation Overview

The following points cover the key requirements for installing the GV2ME21. Full wiring diagrams and step-by-step installation procedures are available in the official Schneider Electric product documentation for this model.

  • Mount on a 35mm symmetrical DIN rail — the device clips onto the rail and must click securely into position; verify no movement or lateral shift after mounting
  • Connect incoming supply to line-side terminals L1, L2, L3 using screw clamp connections; tighten to 15.04 lbf.in (1.7 N.m) — do not over-torque
  • Connect motor leads to load-side terminals T1, T2, T3; confirm wire gauge is compatible with screw clamp terminal before dressing cables
  • Verify the overload adjustment dial is set to the motor nameplate FLA value within the 17 to 23A range using a flathead screwdriver before energizing
  • If lockout/tagout procedures apply to this installation, engage the padlock provision on the GV2ME21 in the OFF position — a mechanical padlock provision is built into the device for this purpose

Compatible Accessories and System Expansion

The GV2ME21 is part of the Schneider Electric TeSys Deca / TeSys GV2 product family, which supports a range of accessories designed to extend functionality within the same panel footprint. The following accessories are associated with this product family:

  • Auxiliary contact blocks — add signaling contacts for remote indication of trip or open-circuit status without modifying the base device
  • Lug terminal adapters — connect larger cable cross-sections to the screw clamp terminal block when wire gauge exceeds standard terminal capacity
  • Padlocking accessories — supplementary padlock kits for lockout/tagout compliance where the built-in provision requires additional hardware
  • DIN rail mounting accessories — end stop brackets and spacing clips for secure panel assembly when multiple GV2M devices are mounted in a row

Confirm accessory compatibility with your specific GV2ME21 installation using the official Schneider Electric accessory selection table or by contacting LeadTime.ca before ordering.

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Before placing an order for the GV2ME21, work through every item on this checklist. These are the verification steps that prevent the most common ordering and installation errors on this model:

  1. Verify motor full-load amperage (FLA) falls within 17-23A adjustment range; do not assume model fits based on motor nameplate kW alone
  2. Confirm system voltage rating; GV2ME21 maximum is 690V AC — verify against site documentation
  3. Check actual motor power at your site voltage (18.5 kW available only at 690V; drops to 11 kW at 500V, 9 kW at 400/415V)
  4. Verify screw clamp terminals match your wire gauge and existing panel termination practice
  5. Confirm DIN rail space and clearances: device is 89mm height, 45mm width, 78.2mm depth
  6. Do not substitute with reversing starter if forward-only control is all that is needed (cost and complexity unnecessary)
  7. Confirm magnetic trip current (327A) is acceptable for your application's short-circuit protection coordination

If any item on this checklist raises a question about fit, contact the LeadTime.ca team before ordering — confirming the right model before it ships is faster than processing a return and reorder after the panel build has started.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set the overload adjustment on the GV2ME21 and what happens if I set it wrong?

Use a flathead screwdriver to rotate the adjustment dial on the front faceplate until the pointer aligns with your motor nameplate FLA value within the 17 to 23A range. Setting the dial below the actual motor FLA will cause nuisance tripping under normal load. Setting it above the actual FLA will delay or prevent thermal trip under overload conditions, leaving the motor unprotected. Always confirm FLA from the motor nameplate — not from a calculated estimate — before setting the dial.

Why does the GV2ME21's motor power rating drop at 400V compared to 690V?

The GV2ME21's thermal protection adjustment range is fixed at 17 to 23A regardless of voltage. At 690V, a 23A current corresponds to 18.5 kW of 3-phase motor power. At 400/415V, 23A corresponds to approximately 9 kW. The device itself is not derated — the physics of 3-phase power means the same current value represents less power at lower voltage. If your motor is larger than 9 kW and your site runs at 400V, the GV2ME21 will not adequately protect it and you need a larger model in the GV2M family.

Can the GV2ME21 be used in a group motor installation where multiple motors share upstream fusing?

The GV2ME21 is intended for individual motor branch protection. It can be used in group motor installations, but the magnetic trip current of 327A must be coordinated with the upstream fuse or circuit breaker protecting the group. Coordination must be verified by a qualified electrical engineer before the installation is commissioned — the GV2ME21's internal protection does not automatically coordinate with every upstream device configuration.

Does the GV2ME21 include a circuit breaker function, or do I still need a separate breaker upstream?

The GV2ME21 provides both thermal overload protection (Class 10, bimetallic) and magnetic short-circuit protection (327A instantaneous trip) in a single device. It functions as a motor circuit protector per IEC 60947-2 and IEC 60947-4-1, which satisfies the circuit breaker function for the motor branch in many installations. Whether an upstream feeder breaker is still required depends on the specific installation, panel design, and applicable electrical code. Confirm with the responsible electrical engineer for your project.

What does Class 10 trip characteristic mean and why does it matter for motor applications?

Class 10 means the thermal element is calibrated to trip between 7x and 10x rated current within the time window defined by IEC 60947-4-1. For motor applications, this is significant because motors draw inrush current of typically 3 to 7 times FLA during the start sequence. Class 10 provides enough delay to ride through that inrush without tripping, while still responding fast enough to protect the motor windings from sustained overload. A faster trip class (such as Class 5) would be more likely to nuisance-trip during normal motor starts.

Can the GV2ME21 be padlocked in the OFF position for lockout/tagout compliance?

Yes. The GV2ME21 includes a mechanical padlock provision that allows the device to be locked in the OFF position. This supports lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures without requiring a separate upstream disconnect switch in installations where the GV2ME21 serves as the isolation point for the motor branch. Confirm that your LOTO procedure and applicable electrical code accept the GV2ME21 as the designated isolation device for the specific installation.

Why Order From LeadTime.ca

  • LeadTime.ca ships the GV2ME21 and the full Schneider Electric GV2M family worldwide — no regional restrictions on sourcing
  • Specialist industrial automation distributor with technical knowledge of thermal-magnetic protection coordination, not just a catalog storefront
  • Volume pricing available for OEM panel builders and procurement teams — contact for current pricing on larger quantities
  • Fast response on availability confirmation — critical when a motor is down and a replacement starter is on the critical path

GV2ME21 At-a-Glance Summary

  • Thermal protection adjustment range: 17 to 23A — must match motor nameplate FLA
  • Maximum voltage: 690V AC at 50/60 Hz
  • Motor power ratings: 18.5 kW at 690V, 11 kW at 500V, 9 kW at 400/415V
  • Breaking capacity: 3 kA at 690V AC per IEC 60947-2
  • Magnetic trip current: 327A instantaneous (fixed, not adjustable)
  • Trip class: Class 10 per IEC 60947-4-1 with ambient-compensated bimetallic element
  • Mechanical and electrical durability: 100,000 cycles each
  • Dimensions: 89mm height x 45mm width x 78.2mm depth; weight 0.26 kg
  • Degree of protection: IP20 with finger-safe terminals
  • Certifications: UL 508, CSA C 22.2 No. 14-05, CE, ATEX, IEC 60947-1/-2/-4-1
  • Control type: push-button ON/OFF, forward-only, manual — no electronics, no PLC dependency
  • Padlock provision: built in for LOTO compliance

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