Schneider GV2P10 Motor Circuit Breaker — Selection Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
14 min read
Schneider Electric GV2P10 TeSys GV2P three-pole thermal-magnetic motor circuit breaker mounted on 35mm DIN rail in industrial control panel

Schneider Electric GV2P10 TeSys GV2P Motor Circuit Breaker 4-6.3A 3-Pole Thermal-Magnetic: Specifications, Wiring, and Selection Guide

If you are specifying or sourcing a compact motor protection breaker for a 2.2 kW three-phase motor on a 400-415V industrial supply, the Schneider Electric GV2P10 is likely already on your shortlist. This three-pole thermal-magnetic unit from the TeSys GV2P family covers a 4 to 6.3A current setting range, delivers a 100 kA short-circuit breaking capacity at 400V, and packages thermal overload protection with manual rotary start/stop control in a single 45 mm DIN rail module. The decision comes down to one number: your motor's full-load current. If it falls cleanly inside that 4 to 6.3A window, this is your part.

If you have already confirmed this is the right part, check current pricing and availability for the GV2P10 at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the GV2P10 — and Who Shouldn't

The Schneider Electric GV2P10 is the right choice for engineers and technicians who need integrated thermal-magnetic motor protection with manual control for a fixed-rating small motor installation. Order it if all of the following apply:

  • Your motor's full-load current (FLC) from the nameplate falls within 4 to 6.3A — this is non-negotiable
  • Your supply is 400-415V AC, 50/60 Hz, three-phase — the GV2P10 is not rated for 480V or single-phase circuits
  • Your facility fault level does not exceed 100 kA at 400V without upstream current-limiting protection
  • Your enclosure uses 35 mm standard DIN rail with at least 97 mm depth clearance and 45 mm module width available
  • Your terminal wiring uses screw clamp connections and conductors in the 1.5 to 4 mm² range
  • You do not require a factory-standard under-voltage release or auxiliary contact — these are optional add-ons that must be specified at order time, not field-retrofitted

If your motor FLC falls below 4A, the GV2P07 (2.5-4A) is the correct choice. If your motor FLC exceeds 6.3A, step up to the GV2P13 (9.5-13A) or GV2P16 (10-16A). Ordering GV2P10 outside its rated window will result in either nuisance trips or a failure to protect — both outcomes are costly.

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What the GV2P10 Actually Does in a Motor Circuit

The GV2P10 is a motor circuit breaker — not a standard MCB and not a standalone thermal overload relay. It is a three-in-one device that combines thermal overload protection, magnetic short-circuit protection, and manual rotary ON/OFF control in a single 45 mm wide DIN rail module. In a conventional motor starter panel, you would need a separate thermal overload relay, a circuit breaker, and a manual isolator to cover the same functions. The GV2P10 consolidates all three.

The thermal element is adjustable across the full 4 to 6.3A window using a calibration screw, allowing the technician to set protection precisely to the motor's nameplate FLC. The magnetic element is factory-fixed at 78A (12 times nominal In), providing instantaneous trip on a phase-to-phase bolted fault without requiring any field configuration. The manual rotary handle rotates 90 degrees between ON and OFF positions, with a mechanical latch, and is rated for 100,000 switching cycles under AC3 category — the duty cycle typical of motor starting and stopping.

The GV2P10 is rated IP20, which means it is finger-safe but not dust or liquid protected. It is intended for installation inside a control panel or enclosure. Power dissipation at rated current is 2.5 W, a useful figure when calculating enclosure thermal load in multi-device panels.

Typical System Architecture for GV2P10 Installations

The GV2P10 sits directly between the three-phase supply distribution and the motor terminals, acting as both the protection device and the manual control point for that motor circuit. Here is where it fits in the typical component chain:

  • Main three-phase distribution board or MCC — feeds the incoming supply to the panel containing the GV2P10
  • Upstream fusing or main switch — provides upstream isolation; the GV2P10 relies on the facility supply being within its rated 100 kA fault level at 400V
  • GV2P10 mounted on 35 mm DIN rail — top terminals L1, L2, L3 accept supply conductors; bottom terminals T1, T2, T3 feed the motor
  • Optional auxiliary contact or under-voltage release — factory-installed options only, used for control circuit interlocking or remote trip functions
  • Three-phase motor (2.2 kW at 400-415V) — connected directly to T1, T2, T3 output terminals via 1.5 to 4 mm² conductors

Where the GV2P10 Gets Used: Industries and Applications

The GV2P10 is a workhorse in any facility that runs small three-phase motors in the 2 to 3 kW range on a 400-415V supply. Food and beverage processing facilities use it extensively for conveyor drives, small pump motors, and agitator units where compact panel space is at a premium and frequent manual start/stop cycling is the norm. The 100,000 cycle mechanical rating means this device will outlast the motors it protects in most production environments.

Municipal water and wastewater treatment operations rely on the GV2P10 for pump station control panels, where maintenance technicians need a straightforward manual override and dependable thermal protection without the complexity of a full soft-starter or VFD package. HVAC and building systems integrators specify it for small fan and pump motors in air handling units, where IEC compliance is required and panel space is constrained.

OEM machine builders benefit from the GV2P10's multi-standard approval breadth. A machine built with GV2P10 units installed holds IEC, UL, CSA, CCC, EAC, and Marine DNV compliance simultaneously, which means the same panel design and bill of materials can be exported to European, North American, Chinese, Eurasian, and marine markets without substituting components. This is a genuine engineering and procurement advantage for manufacturers selling equipment across multiple regions.

Facility maintenance teams standardized on Schneider TeSys components use the GV2P10 as a drop-in replacement for aging motor starters, particularly in retrofit projects where the original equipment used similar Schneider motor protection hardware. The screw clamp terminal style and standard 35 mm DIN rail mounting mean most panel retrofits require no new hardware beyond the device itself.

Application Typical Deployment
Food and beverage conveyor drive Manual start/stop control of 2.2 kW conveyor motor on 400V three-phase supply; frequent cycling duty
Water treatment pump station Thermal-magnetic protection for small pump motor; manual isolation capability for maintenance technician
HVAC fan motor protection Compact DIN rail installation in air handling unit panel; IEC compliance required for building codes
OEM machine builder — multi-motor panel Multiple GV2P10 units in a single enclosure protecting individual 2.2 kW drives; multi-market export compliance
Facility retrofit — motor starter replacement Drop-in replacement for failed motor starter on existing 400V pump or fan circuit; same DIN rail footprint

GV2P10 Specifications: What Engineers Need to Confirm Before Ordering

Parameter Value Notes
Current setting range (thermal) 4 to 6.3 A Adjustable via calibration screw; motor FLC must fall within this window
Rated supply voltage 400-415V AC 50/60 Hz Not rated for 480V or single-phase supply
Motor rated power 2.2 kW At 400-415V AC three-phase
Short-circuit breaking capacity (Icu) 100 kA at 400V AC Verify facility fault level does not exceed this rating
Magnetic trip threshold 78 A (12 × In) Fixed; instantaneous protection against phase-to-phase faults
Number of poles 3 Three-phase only; no single-phase variant in GV2P10
Mechanical durability 100,000 switching cycles AC3 category at 415V
Mounting 35 mm standard DIN rail Not compatible with 20 mm slim rail; module width 45 mm, depth 97 mm, height 44.5 mm
Terminal type Screw clamp with bracket Wire range 1.5-4 mm²; L1/L2/L3 top, T1/T2/T3 bottom
IP protection class IP20 Finger-safe; suitable for indoor panel installation only

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

GV2P10 vs GV2P07, GV2P13, and Third-Party Equivalents

The most common ordering error in the TeSys GV2P family is selecting the wrong current range. The table below shows the full variant context and the closest third-party equivalents for comparative reference. Note that Siemens models listed are not direct SKU replacements — terminal layout, accessory compatibility, and dimensional fit must be independently verified before substituting.

Model Current Range Motor Power at 400V Terminal Type Best For
GV2P07 2.5-4 A 1.5 kW Screw clamp Smaller motors with FLC below 4A
GV2P10 4-6.3 A 2.2 kW Screw clamp Standard small three-phase motors at 400V
GV2P13 9.5-13 A 3.7 kW Screw clamp Larger motors with FLC above 6.3A
GV2P16 10-16 A Higher power range Screw clamp Motors requiring higher current protection
3RV1021-1BA10 (Siemens) 3.5-5 A ~2.2 kW Screw clamp Direct Siemens equivalent range — verify compatibility independently
3RV2011-1BA10 (Siemens) 4-6.3 A ~2.2 kW Screw clamp Modular design with remote coil option; higher cost

If your motor FLC consistently runs above 6.3A or your application demands modular reconfiguration options, the GV2P13 or a third-party modular alternative may be the correct path — check current variant availability at LeadTime.ca and confirm with the technical team before ordering.

Expert Verdict: Is the GV2P10 the Right Motor Breaker for Your Project?

The Schneider Electric GV2P10 earns its place as a standard specification for 2.2 kW three-phase motor protection precisely because it does not try to do more than its mission requires. The thermal-magnetic protection is well-calibrated across the 4 to 6.3A window, the 78A fixed magnetic trip handles bolted fault conditions without user configuration, and the 100,000-cycle rotary handle rating means this device is built for the long haul in production environments with daily start/stop cycling. The multi-standard certification coverage — IEC, UL, CSA, CCC, EAC, and Marine DNV — is a genuine differentiator for OEM builders who ship equipment across multiple export markets and cannot afford to redesign for each regulatory jurisdiction. The 2.5 W power dissipation figure and the compact 45 mm panel footprint make enclosure thermal and space calculations straightforward.

The GV2P10 has real limits that honest specification requires acknowledging. It is not suited for 480V North American industrial supplies — buyers in facilities running 480V three-phase must identify the correct model from Schneider's 480V-rated lineup. It is strictly three-phase; single-phase motor applications require a different product entirely. The under-voltage release and auxiliary contact options are factory-installed add-ons, not field-upgradeable — if your control circuit design calls for remote trip capability or interlock signaling and you do not specify these at order time, you will receive a device that cannot support your wiring diagram. For projects requiring highly modular, reconfigurable starter options with remote coil flexibility, a third-party modular platform may offer greater long-term adaptability, albeit at meaningfully higher cost.

From a procurement standpoint, the GV2P10 is a well-stocked industrial component available through authorized distributors globally. For single-unit emergency replacements, fast-fulfillment channels can move quickly. For multi-motor installations, facility standardization projects, or orders where under-voltage release or auxiliary contact options need to be confirmed in the sales order, working through a specialist industrial distributor is the lower-risk path — you get pre-order technical verification that the part number and options exactly match your circuit requirements, not just a confirmation that the SKU shipped. For volume pricing or to confirm build-ready lead times, review the GV2P10 product page at LeadTime.ca — worldwide shipping available.

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 GV2P10

Community discussion on the GV2P10 and the broader TeSys GV2P family is sparse in public technical forums — this is a well-established industrial component that rarely surfaces in Reddit or PLC community threads because experienced electricians and controls engineers typically work from the manufacturer datasheet and their own commissioning experience rather than seeking peer input online. The absence of forum chatter is not a warning sign; it reflects the product's mature status in the market. What it does mean is that when you have a pre-order question that falls outside the datasheet — current setting edge cases, accessory option confirmation, or voltage class clarification for a non-standard application — a specialist distributor becomes the most practical resource available.

The ordering mistakes that matter most with the GV2P10 are well-documented from distributor and manufacturer technical support patterns. The most consequential: ordering GV2P10 for a motor whose full-load current falls outside the 4 to 6.3A setting range. A motor FLC of 6.8A looks close, but it sits above the thermal adjustment window — the device will either fail to protect the motor on a sustained overload or trip intermittently under normal running conditions. Neither outcome is acceptable in a production environment. The fix is simple: read the motor nameplate before ordering, not after the device arrives on site.

The second pattern worth flagging is the assumption that under-voltage release and auxiliary contacts are standard features. They are not. GV2P10 ships as a thermal-magnetic motor breaker with manual rotary control. If your circuit diagram includes a remote trip signal or interlock contact wired to the motor protection device, those options must be explicitly called out at order time. Verifying the model suffix with your distributor before the purchase order is placed takes two minutes and prevents a two-week reorder delay. LeadTime.ca's technical team is available to confirm option availability and lead times for accessory configurations — use that resource before the order is finalized.

Wiring and Installation Overview

The following points cover the key requirements for GV2P10 installation. For full wiring procedures and commissioning sequences, refer to the Schneider Electric TeSys GV2P installation manual.

  • Supply conductors connect to the top three terminals (L1, L2, L3) and motor conductors connect to the bottom three terminals (T1, T2, T3); both sets use M4 screw clamp connections accepting 1.5 to 4 mm² wire
  • Verify three-phase supply voltage is 400-415V AC 50/60 Hz and confirm absence of voltage on all three supply terminals using a calibrated multimeter before connecting any conductors
  • Mount on 35 mm standard DIN rail only — confirm enclosure depth provides at least 97 mm clearance from rail face and 45 mm module width is available in the rail layout
  • If an under-voltage release or auxiliary contact is factory-installed, wiring connections for those options must follow the specific terminal diagram in the device manual — these vary by option configuration and are not universal
  • After wiring, set the thermal adjustment screw to the motor nameplate FLC value within the 4 to 6.3A range before initial energization; test rotary handle mechanical operation (90-degree rotation, mechanical latch) before connecting motor load

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Before placing your order for the GV2P10, verify every item on this checklist. A single mismatch means the wrong part — and a return shipment.

  1. Confirm motor rated power and supply voltage match the 2.2 kW at 400-415V specification for GV2P10
  2. Verify motor full-load current falls within 4-6.3A setting range; if outside, order GV2P13, GV2P07, or GV2P16
  3. Check facility three-phase supply is 400-415V AC 50/60 Hz (not single-phase, not 480V, not 600V DC)
  4. Confirm DIN rail width is 35 mm standard (not 20 mm rail)
  5. Verify mounting space depth of 97 mm and height of 44.5 mm fit the enclosure footprint
  6. Ensure screw terminal clamp style (not crimp or spring) suits field wiring practice
  7. Confirm under-voltage release and auxiliary contact options match circuit diagram requirements (not all GV2P models include these factory-installed)

If any item on this list cannot be confirmed before ordering, contact the LeadTime.ca technical team — provide your motor nameplate data and enclosure specifications and we will confirm the correct part number before your order is placed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the GV2P10 be used on a 480V three-phase supply for North American industrial installations?

No. The GV2P10 is rated for 400-415V AC 50/60 Hz three-phase supply. It is not rated for 480V systems common in North American industrial facilities. Using GV2P10 on a 480V supply is outside its rated operating window. Buyers sourcing for 480V applications should consult Schneider Electric's product selector for the appropriate model from the TeSys lineup rated for that voltage class.

My motor FLC is 6.5A — is GV2P10 close enough, or do I need GV2P13?

GV2P10's thermal setting range tops out at 6.3A. A motor FLC of 6.5A falls outside that window, meaning the device cannot be correctly calibrated to the motor's nameplate current. In this case, the GV2P13 (9.5-13A range) is the correct selection. Ordering GV2P10 for a 6.5A motor will result in either inadequate overload protection or persistent nuisance trips — neither is acceptable. The 0.2A gap matters.

Is the under-voltage release (UVR) option field-installable, or must it be specified at order time?

The under-voltage release and auxiliary contact options are factory-installed at order time. Field retrofit of these options after delivery is not recommended. If your control circuit design requires remote trip capability or interlock contacts wired to the motor protection device, you must specify the required option when placing your order. Confirm the model suffix with the distributor before the purchase order is submitted — LeadTime.ca can verify option availability and lead times before your order is finalized.

What does the magnetic trip threshold of 78A mean for short-circuit protection?

The GV2P10's magnetic element is factory-set at 78A, which equals 12 times the maximum In of 6.3A. This threshold provides instantaneous trip on a phase-to-phase bolted fault — the kind of high-magnitude, fast fault that thermal protection cannot respond to quickly enough. The device's overall short-circuit breaking capacity is rated at 100 kA at 400V AC, which meets or exceeds the assumed fault level at most small-to-medium industrial facilities. If your facility fault level exceeds 100 kA, upstream current-limiting fusing is required before the GV2P10.

How does the GV2P10's multi-standard certification benefit OEM machine builders?

The GV2P10 holds simultaneous compliance with IEC 60947-2, IEC 60947-4-1, UL 489, CSA, CCC, EAC, and Marine DNV. For an OEM building production equipment destined for multiple export markets, this means the same panel design and bill of materials can be shipped to European, North American, Chinese, Eurasian, and marine customers without substituting the motor protection component for each market. The 100,000-cycle mechanical rating under AC3 category adds further confidence for equipment expected to operate for many years in the field.

What is the GV2P10's power dissipation, and does it affect enclosure sizing?

The GV2P10 dissipates 2.5 W at rated current. For single-unit installations this is negligible, but in a panel with multiple GV2P10 units — such as an OEM machine with several small motor circuits — the aggregate thermal load must be factored into enclosure ventilation or cooling calculations. A panel with ten GV2P10 units at full load would add 25 W of internal heat generation from the motor protection devices alone, not including other panel components.

Why Order the GV2P10 Through LeadTime.ca

  • Global shipping — LeadTime.ca ships the GV2P10 and TeSys GV2P family worldwide, with no geographic restrictions on order placement
  • Technical pre-order verification — confirm current range, voltage class, and accessory options match your circuit requirements before the order ships, not after it arrives
  • Volume and multi-unit pricing — facilities standardizing on GV2P10 across multiple motor circuits or OEM builders ordering in quantity can request volume pricing directly
  • Specialty option sourcing — under-voltage release and auxiliary contact configurations require correct specification at order time; the LeadTime.ca team confirms option availability and lead times before committing your order

GV2P10 At-a-Glance Summary

  • Thermal current setting range: 4 to 6.3A — motor FLC must fall within this window or a different model is required
  • Rated motor power: 2.2 kW at 400-415V AC three-phase, 50/60 Hz
  • Short-circuit breaking capacity: 100 kA at 400V AC (Icu rating)
  • Fixed magnetic trip threshold: 78A (12 times nominal In)
  • Mechanical durability: 100,000 switching cycles under AC3 category
  • DIN rail mounting: 35 mm standard rail only; module width 45 mm, depth 97 mm, height 44.5 mm
  • Terminal style: screw clamp with bracket, 1.5 to 4 mm² wire range
  • IP protection: IP20 — finger-safe, indoor panel installation only
  • Power dissipation at rated current: 2.5 W
  • Certifications: IEC 60947-2, IEC 60947-4-1, UL 489, CSA, CCC, EAC, Marine DNV, RoHS 2
  • Under-voltage release and auxiliary contact: optional, factory-installed at order time only — not field-retrofittable
  • Adjacent models: GV2P07 (2.5-4A / 1.5 kW) for smaller motors; GV2P13 (9.5-13A / 3.7 kW) for larger motors

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