Schneider Electric GVAN11 — Left-Side Aux Contact Block Guide

By Abdullah Zahid
15 min read
Schneider Electric GVAN11 auxiliary contact block TeSys Deca 1NO 1NC left-side mount for GV2 GV3 starters

Schneider Electric GVAN11 Auxiliary Contact Block, TeSys Deca, 1NO+1NC, Left-Side Mounting — Specs, Compatibility, and Buying Guide

If you are a maintenance technician or controls engineer searching for the correct auxiliary contact block for a GV2 or GV3 manual motor starter, this review is written for you. The Schneider Electric GVAN11 adds one normally open and one normally closed contact to the left side of any compatible TeSys Deca GV2 or GV3 starter, providing motor state feedback to a PLC, relay logic chain, or panel indicator — all within a 9.3 mm wide housing rated for 6A at 690V AC or 240V DC. The single most important fact before you order: GVAN11 is left-side mounting only. If your starter's auxiliary port is on the right, you need GVAN21, not this model.

If you have already confirmed this is the correct part, check current pricing and availability for the GVAN11 at LeadTime.ca — ships worldwide.

Who Should Buy the GVAN11 — and Who Shouldn't

The GVAN11 is the right choice if all of the following apply to your application:

  • Your manual starter model begins with GV2 or GV3 (not GV1 or GV4 — incompatible families)
  • The auxiliary block mounting port on your starter is on the left side of the housing
  • Your control circuit requires one normally open contact and one normally closed contact (1NO+1NC configuration)
  • Your system voltage falls within 48–690V AC or 24–240V DC and your control circuit load is within 6A
  • Screw-clamp terminal wiring is acceptable for your control cabinet (wire gauge 0.75–2.5 mm²)

If your starter port is on the right side, order GVAN21 instead. If you need two normally open contacts, order GVAN12. If you need two normally closed contacts for a high-safety or SIL application, order GVAN13. If your starter is a GV1 or GV4, the GVAN series does not apply — consult the correct auxiliary block family for your platform.

On this page:

How the GVAN11 Works Inside a GV2/GV3 Starter System

The GVAN11 is a passive signaling device, not a power control component. It mounts directly onto the left side of a TeSys Deca GV2 or GV3 manual motor starter via a mechanical snap-in connection, and its internal contacts are physically linked to the starter's main contactor mechanism. When the starter closes — energizing the motor circuit — the GVAN11's 1NO contact closes simultaneously, and its 1NC contact opens. When the starter opens, both contacts return to their default states. No separate power supply or control signal is needed to operate the block itself; it follows the starter state mechanically.

This mechanical linkage is what makes the GVAN11 reliable for interlock logic. The contact state is a direct hardware reflection of the starter position — there is no software delay, no communication protocol, and no power supply dependency. For PLC feedback inputs, indicator lights, safety relay chains, and alarm circuits, this direct mechanical coupling is the preferred architecture over software-polled status.

The 1NC contact deserves specific attention. In its default state (starter de-energized), the NC contact is closed — meaning a circuit connected to it is energized. When the starter energizes, the NC contact opens, de-energizing that circuit. This makes the NC contact the correct choice for fail-safe alarm designs: if the starter trips or loses power unexpectedly, the NC contact closes and triggers the alarm automatically, without requiring a separate fault signal from the starter.

Typical System Architecture: Where the GVAN11 Sits in the Signal Chain

The GVAN11 sits at the interface between the motor starter hardware and the control logic layer — it converts a mechanical switching event into two independent electrical signals that the rest of the control system can act on.

  • Upstream: Main power supply feeds the GV2 or GV3 manual motor starter, which controls motor run/stop state
  • GVAN11 mounts on the left side of the GV2/GV3 starter and mechanically tracks the starter's contact state
  • NO contact (Terminal 1-2) feeds a PLC digital input card or indicator lamp — closed when starter is running
  • NC contact (Terminal 3-4) feeds a safety relay, alarm horn, or interlock chain — open when starter is running, closed when de-energized or tripped
  • Downstream control devices (HMI, relay logic, remote alarm) receive clean binary signals without direct connection to the motor power circuit

Real-World Applications and Industries That Use the GVAN11

Manufacturing lines that use GV2 or GV3 starters for conveyor drives, pump motors, or blower motors use the GVAN11 to feed a "motor running" status signal back to a PLC or distributed I/O module. The 1NO contact closes when the motor starts, confirming run state to the control system without routing any part of the motor power circuit through the PLC input card.

In multi-motor sequencing applications — where motor B cannot start until motor A is confirmed running — the GVAN11's NO contact is wired into the interlock chain for motor B's starter coil. This is a standard hardwired interlock architecture that does not depend on PLC scan time or network communication.

HVAC control panels that use GV2 starters for fan or pump motors use the NC contact for fault annunciation. The NC contact feeds a panel alarm light or building management system input; if the starter trips on overload, the NC contact closes and triggers the alarm before any operator action is taken.

Food and beverage facilities specifically favour screw-clamp auxiliary blocks like the GVAN11 over push-in terminal alternatives because high-vibration environments — packaging lines, fillers, conveyors — can cause push-in terminals to work loose over time. The screw-clamp connection on the GVAN11 is rated for 0.75–2.5 mm² wire and holds under sustained mechanical vibration.

Application Typical Deployment
Manufacturing conveyor motor control GVAN11 NO contact feeds PLC "motor running" digital input; NC feeds panel fault light
Pump station motor feedback NO contact confirms pump run state to SCADA or BMS; NC contact triggers low-flow alarm on trip
Multi-motor interlock sequence NO contact hardwired into downstream starter coil circuit to prevent premature start
HVAC fan motor panel NC contact wired to building alarm input; trips on overload without PLC involvement
Emergency stop reset confirmation NC contact confirms E-stop release before allowing restart logic to proceed
Food and beverage packaging line Screw-clamp GVAN11 used in preference to push-in blocks due to high-vibration environment

GVAN11 Specifications: What You Need to Make a Purchase Decision

Parameter Rating Notes
Voltage AC 48–690V AC No jumpers or configuration changes required across range
Voltage DC 24–240V DC Same block operates on AC or DC — no variant selection needed
Current Rating 6A Rated at all voltages; sized for control circuits only, not motor load
Contact Configuration 1NO + 1NC 1 Normally Open, 1 Normally Closed — independent contacts
Minimum Control Voltage 5 mA at 17V Ultra-low voltage sensing; compatible with low-energy PLC inputs
Electrical Durability 100,000 cycles Verified in Schneider Electric official documentation
Connection Type Screw clamp 0.75–2.5 mm² wire gauge; preferred for high-vibration environments
Dimensions (W × D × H) 9.3 mm × 66 mm × 89 mm 0.37 in × 2.6 in × 3.5 in
Mounting Position Left-side only Right-side equivalent is GVAN21
Certifications CSA C22.2 41 / IEC 60947-1 Dual certification for North American and international industrial use

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

GVAN11 vs. GVAN12 vs. GVAN21 vs. GVAN13: Which Variant Do You Actually Need?

Model Contact Config Mounting Position Voltage Rating Best Use Case
GVAN11 1NO + 1NC Left-side 690V AC / 240V DC Standard feedback: one run signal + one fail-safe alarm
GVAN12 2NO Left-side 690V AC / 240V DC Applications needing only "starter on" signals — no fail-safe NC needed
GVAN21 1NO + 1NC Right-side 690V AC / 240V DC Same function as GVAN11 — use when starter port is on the right side
GVAN13 2NC Left-side 690V AC / 240V DC High-safety or SIL applications requiring dual fail-safe normally closed signals

If your control logic requires only run-state indication with no interlock or alarm function, GVAN12 is the cleaner choice and eliminates the risk of an unused NC contact being inadvertently wired into a safety circuit. If your GV2/GV3 starter's auxiliary port is on the right side of the housing, GVAN21 provides identical 1NO+1NC functionality — confirm your mounting side and check availability at LeadTime.ca.

Expert Verdict: Is the GVAN11 Right for Your Application?

The GVAN11 is the default choice for any maintenance technician or controls engineer working with an existing GV2 or GV3 TeSys Deca manual starter who needs standard motor state feedback. Its 100,000-cycle electrical durability means a motor starter cycling 20 times per day would see roughly 13 years of service before contact wear becomes critical — that is meaningful for reducing maintenance intervals in continuous manufacturing environments. The dual voltage range of 48–690V AC and 24–240V DC covers virtually every industrial control voltage without requiring a variant selection, which simplifies procurement for multi-voltage system integrators. CSA C22.2 41 and IEC 60947-1 certification means compliance documentation for both North American and export industrial applications is straightforward. For food and beverage, plastics processing, pump control, and conveyor applications already standardized on GV2/GV3 starters, the GVAN11 is a low-risk, well-proven addition.

The GVAN11 has real limits that buyers must acknowledge honestly. It cannot fit a GV1 (TeSys Classic) or GV4 (TeSys Giga) starter — those require different auxiliary block families entirely. It provides only two contacts; if your control logic requires more than one NO and one NC signal from a single starter, you will need an external relay module, not a different GVAN variant. The screw-clamp terminal is a deliberate design choice for vibration resistance, but if your control cabinet is built entirely on push-in terminals and your team is not comfortable with screw-clamp wiring at 0.75–2.5 mm², factor in the termination method before ordering. And if you are mid-migration from TeSys to a different motor protection platform entirely, the GVAN series has no relevance to your new ecosystem.

From a procurement standpoint, the GVAN11 is typically a short-lead-time item with broad distributor availability — most orders ship within 1 to 5 business days when in stock. During supply constraint periods, lead times can extend to 4 to 6 weeks, so for planned retrofits or large panel builds, ordering ahead is strongly advisable. Buying through a specialist industrial distributor rather than a generic reseller ensures you receive a properly CSA-labeled unit with accurate documentation, and a knowledgeable sales engineer can confirm compatibility with your specific starter model number before the order ships — eliminating the most common and costly mistake buyers make with this part. View current availability and pricing for the GVAN11 at LeadTime.ca.

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 GVAN11

Because direct community forum data specific to the GVAN11 is limited in publicly indexed sources, the most actionable pre-order intelligence comes from the distributor support channel — which is where the most consistent ordering mistakes surface. The pattern is clear: the GVAN11 is a product where the specification looks simple but the physical fitment details catch buyers off guard at installation time.

The single most reported fulfillment issue across distributor support channels is mounting-side confusion. A technician identifies the correct TeSys Deca family and the correct 1NO+1NC contact configuration, orders GVAN11, and then discovers on-site that the auxiliary port on their GV3 starter is on the right side of the housing — requiring GVAN21. The result is a return shipment, a delay, and a motor starter sitting offline. This mistake is entirely preventable by physically checking the starter housing before placing the order, or by providing the starter's full model number to the distributor and asking them to confirm the correct auxiliary block variant. LeadTime.ca's team can perform this confirmation during the quote process — it is a standard compatibility check that specialists do routinely and that generic electronics resellers typically do not.

The second pattern is contact configuration mismatch at the procurement stage. The GVAN11 (1NO+1NC) is the most common variant, which means procurement teams sometimes default to it without cross-checking the control engineer's circuit drawing. If the circuit uses only normally open contacts for a run indicator and a second run indicator, the correct order is GVAN12 (2NO). If the GVAN11 is installed in that application, the unused NC contact sitting at Terminal 3-4 creates a live terminal in the control cabinet that an installer may wire incorrectly during commissioning, potentially creating an unintended interlock or alarm condition. Matching the variant to the circuit drawing before ordering is the professional standard — and it is worth a five-minute conversation with your distributor if there is any ambiguity in the schematic.

Wiring and Installation Overview

  • Always apply lockout/tagout and confirm 0V at starter line terminals before installing or replacing the GVAN11; the block must be installed with the starter fully de-energized
  • Align the GVAN11 connector with the left-side mounting port on the GV2 or GV3 starter and slide straight in until the mechanical latch engages — confirm there is no gap between the block face and the starter housing before tightening retention screws
  • Terminal 1-2 is the NO contact (closes when starter energizes): connect to PLC digital input, indicator lamp, or run-state relay coil; Terminal 3-4 is the NC contact (opens when starter energizes): connect to safety interlock, alarm circuit, or fail-safe relay
  • Wire gauge must be within 0.75–2.5 mm² for proper grip in screw-clamp terminals; wire below this range may pull loose under vibration — do not use wire outside the rated gauge range
  • After wiring, perform a continuity check across NO contacts (Terminal 1-2, should read open when de-energized) and NC contacts (Terminal 3-4, should read closed when de-energized) before re-energizing the starter; if contact states are reversed, check mechanical seating of the block

Full installation procedures, wiring diagrams, and torque specifications are provided in Schneider Electric's official GV2/GV3 installation documentation. Engineers requiring step-by-step commissioning procedures should refer to the manufacturer's installation guide for their specific starter model.

Compatible TeSys Deca Starters: Full Compatibility Matrix

The GVAN11 is designed exclusively for the TeSys Deca GV2 and GV3 manual starter and protector series. Verify your starter model against this matrix before ordering.

Starter Model Product Series GVAN11 Compatible Mounting Position Notes
GV2LE TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Entry-level manual starter
GV2L TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Standard general-purpose model
GV2P TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Thermal protection model
GV2RT TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Reversing model
GV2ME TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Multi-element option
GV3L TeSys Deca Yes Left-side Larger frame for higher power applications
GV3P TeSys Deca Yes Left-side GV3 with thermal protection
GV1 (older) TeSys Classic No N/A Different auxiliary block family — GVAN series does not apply
GV4 (newer) TeSys Giga No N/A Different auxiliary block family — use TeSys Giga auxiliary blocks

Wrong-Part Prevention Checklist

Before placing your order, work through this checklist line by line. Skipping any item is the most common cause of ship-and-return delays on auxiliary contact block orders.

  1. Confirm your manual starter model number starts with GV2 or GV3 (not GV1, GV4, or a different family)
  2. Confirm left-side mounting is correct (check your current auxiliary block or installation diagram)
  3. Confirm your system voltage: 48–690V AC or 24–240V DC (GVAN11 handles this range; verify voltage class label on your starter)
  4. Confirm contact type needed: If you need only normally-open contacts for an indicator light, 1NO-1NC still works (just use the NO contact), but if you need dual normally-open or dual normally-closed, order the correct model
  5. Check if your starter already has an auxiliary block mounted — some GV2/GV3 units ship with one; adding GVAN11 requires removal of existing block or use of a dual-block setup (verify with your installation manual)
  6. Verify screw-clamp vs. push-in preference (this model is screw-clamp; if your control cabinet wiring is all push-in terminals, order time for adapters or terminal blocks)

If any item on this checklist raises a question you cannot answer from your current documentation, contact the LeadTime.ca team with your starter model number before ordering — confirming compatibility takes minutes and prevents costly return shipments.

Frequently Asked Questions

My GV3 starter has the auxiliary port on the right side — will GVAN11 fit?

No. The GVAN11 is left-side mounting only. The right-side equivalent with identical 1NO+1NC contact configuration is the GVAN21. Physically check which side the auxiliary port is on before ordering — attempting to force a left-side block into a right-side port will damage the connector on the starter housing.

Can I install a second GVAN11 on the same GV2 or GV3 starter to get more contacts?

No. Each GV2 or GV3 starter has one auxiliary block port, and stacking two GVAN-series blocks on the same port is not supported. If your application requires more than two independent contacts (more than 1NO+1NC), the correct solution is an external relay module rated for your system voltage — not a second auxiliary block.

How do I know if my GVAN11 has failed versus a fault in my PLC input card?

De-energize the starter and test continuity across Terminal 1-2 (NO contact — should read open) and Terminal 3-4 (NC contact — should read closed). Then energize the starter and re-test: Terminal 1-2 should now be closed, Terminal 3-4 should be open. If the contacts do not change state, the GVAN11 is faulty and must be replaced. If continuity tests pass correctly but the PLC input still does not respond, the fault is downstream — check your wiring, PLC input card, and control logic.

What wire gauge is required for the GVAN11 screw-clamp terminals?

Schneider Electric's official data specifies 0.75–2.5 mm² wire gauge for the screw-clamp terminals on the GVAN11. Wire below 0.75 mm² may not grip reliably under vibration. Wire above 2.5 mm² will not seat properly in the terminal. For most 24V DC control circuits, 1.5 mm² (approximately 16 AWG) is a practical choice that balances current capacity and cabinet wiring manageability.

Does the GVAN11 require any configuration or jumper setting for different voltages?

No. The GVAN11 operates across the full range of 48–690V AC and 24–240V DC without any internal jumpers, DIP switches, or configuration changes. The block adapts to the system voltage automatically, which eliminates the need to specify a voltage-class variant when ordering for multi-voltage systems.

Is the GVAN11 available outside North America, and what is the typical lead time?

Yes. The GVAN11 carries both CSA C22.2 41 (North American) and IEC 60947-1 (international) certifications, making it suitable for deployment globally. LeadTime.ca ships worldwide. Typical lead time for in-stock units is 1 to 5 business days; if the unit is on special order or during supply-constrained periods, lead times can extend to 4 to 6 weeks. Contact LeadTime.ca directly to confirm current stock status before committing to a project schedule.

Why Order the GVAN11 from LeadTime.ca

  • Ships worldwide — no regional restriction on order fulfilment
  • Specialist industrial automation distributor — team can confirm GV2/GV3 compatibility using your starter model number before the order ships, eliminating the most common return scenario
  • Stocks both the GVAN11 and related variants (GVAN12, GVAN21, GVAN13) — if a compatibility check changes your order, the correct part is available without a second distributor search
  • Volume pricing available for panel builders and maintenance planners ordering in quantity — contact for current pricing on orders of 10 or more units
  • Properly certified, CSA/IEC-labeled units with accurate documentation — not grey-market or uncertified stock

At-a-Glance Summary

  • The Schneider Electric GVAN11 is a 1NO+1NC auxiliary contact block for TeSys Deca GV2 and GV3 manual motor starters — left-side mounting only
  • Rated 6A at 48–690V AC and 24–240V DC — no variant selection needed for voltage; one SKU covers the full control voltage range
  • Electrical durability rated at 100,000 cycles per Schneider Electric official documentation
  • Minimum control voltage: 5 mA at 17V — compatible with ultra-low energy PLC inputs
  • Dimensions: 9.3 mm W × 66 mm D × 89 mm H; screw-clamp terminals for 0.75–2.5 mm² wire
  • Certified to CSA C22.2 41 and IEC 60947-1 for North American and international industrial applications
  • Right-side equivalent: GVAN21 — same 1NO+1NC configuration, different mounting orientation
  • Not compatible with GV1 (TeSys Classic) or GV4 (TeSys Giga) starters
  • Operating temperature range: 0°C to 55°C
  • Confirm mounting side before ordering — left vs. right error is the single most common ordering mistake on this part

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