Schneider Electric GV2-ME16C 9-14A Motor Circuit Breaker

Product Details

GV2-ME16C 9-14A Product Description

The Schneider Electric GV2-ME16C is a thermal-magnetic motor circuit breaker rated 9–14A, engineered as a system-matched protection component within the TeSys GV2 platform. Designed for direct integration into motor starter assemblies, control panels, and distributed automation architectures, the GV2-ME16C delivers coordinated overload and short-circuit protection that aligns with the broader control system hierarchy — from the PLC control layer down through the power and execution layers. Its compact DIN-rail footprint, tool-free adjustment dial, and standardized terminal geometry make it a preferred choice for system integrators who demand consistent protection performance across multi-motor installations.

In modern industrial automation, motor protection is not an isolated function — it is a critical node in a layered control architecture. The GV2-ME16C is built to operate within this context, supporting coordinated protection schemes that interact with upstream circuit breakers, downstream contactors, and supervisory control systems. Its trip class and breaking capacity are matched to TeSys GV2 system coordination tables, ensuring that fault isolation is precise, selective, and does not cascade into adjacent motor circuits or control loops.

The GV2-ME16C achieves its full value when deployed as part of a coordinated TeSys GV2 motor starter assembly. In a typical control cabinet, the GV2-ME16C is paired with a LC1-D09 or LC1-D12 TeSys D contactor to form a direct-on-line (DOL) starter. For reversing applications, dual contactors with mechanical and electrical interlocking are used alongside the GV2-ME16C to ensure safe directional switching without protection gaps.

At the control layer, a Modicon M221 or M241 PLC manages motor start/stop commands via discrete I/O, while the GV2-ME16C's trip signal — routed through a GV2-AN11 auxiliary contact block — feeds back a fault status bit to the controller. This closed-loop feedback enables the PLC to log fault events, trigger alarms, and initiate safe-state sequences without operator intervention. For installations requiring remote diagnostics, the GV2-G gateway module extends TeSys GV2 protection data onto Modbus RTU or CANopen networks, allowing SCADA systems to monitor thermal state, trip history, and current draw in real time.

Power distribution to the motor starter assembly is typically sourced from a Schneider iC60N or NSX series upstream circuit breaker, which provides system-level short-circuit protection and coordinates with the GV2-ME16C's breaking capacity to ensure selective tripping. On the power supply side, a Phaseo ABL8 24 VDC power supply feeds the control circuit, PLC I/O modules, and relay logic, maintaining stable control voltage even during motor inrush events.

For installations with distributed I/O, a TM3 expansion module connected to the M241 PLC extends digital outputs to contactor coils and digital inputs from GV2-ME16C auxiliary contacts, enabling centralized motor management across multiple starter assemblies. In process industries where motor availability is critical, a Preventa XPS safety relay can be integrated into the emergency stop circuit, ensuring that the GV2-ME16C's trip output is incorporated into the machine safety function in compliance with IEC 62061 or ISO 13849.

HMI visibility is provided through a Magelis HMIGXU or HMISTO panel, which displays motor running status, fault codes, and thermal load percentage sourced from the GV2 gateway. This architecture eliminates the need for dedicated motor protection relays in standard applications, reducing panel footprint, wiring complexity, and commissioning time while maintaining full IEC coordination compliance.

Manufacturing & Assembly Lines: In automotive and discrete manufacturing, the GV2-ME16C protects conveyor drive motors, pump motors, and fan motors within multi-starter panels. Its Class 10A trip characteristic accommodates standard induction motor starting profiles without nuisance tripping, while its high breaking capacity handles fault currents in low-impedance distribution systems.

Water & Wastewater Treatment: Pump stations and aeration blower panels rely on the GV2-ME16C for reliable motor protection in wet, corrosive environments. Paired with IP65-rated enclosures and TeSys GV2 communication modules, operators can monitor pump motor thermal state remotely via SCADA, reducing site visits and enabling predictive maintenance scheduling.

Oil, Gas & Petrochemical: In hazardous area control rooms (Zone 2 / Class I Div 2 with appropriate enclosures), the GV2-ME16C provides motor protection for compressor auxiliaries, cooling fans, and lube oil pumps. Its coordination with upstream NSX molded-case circuit breakers ensures selective fault isolation without tripping the main feeder.

Mining & Metallurgy: Crusher drives, conveyor systems, and ventilation fans in underground and surface mining operations benefit from the GV2-ME16C's robust thermal-magnetic mechanism, which maintains accurate trip performance across wide ambient temperature ranges and high-vibration environments.

Packaging & Material Handling: High-cycle packaging lines with frequent motor starts and stops demand protection devices with stable thermal memory. The GV2-ME16C's bimetallic thermal element accurately tracks cumulative heating across repeated start cycles, preventing motor winding damage without requiring external thermal overload relays.

Q1: Is the GV2-ME16C compatible with TeSys GV2 communication gateway modules for Modbus RTU integration? Yes. The GV2-ME16C is fully compatible with the GV2-G and GV2-L gateway adapter modules, which mount directly onto the GV2 body without additional wiring. These gateways expose motor protection data — including thermal state, trip cause, and current measurement — over Modbus RTU or CANopen, enabling direct integration with Modicon PLCs, third-party SCADA systems, and building management platforms. No additional protocol converters are required for standard Modbus RTU architectures.

Q2: How does the GV2-ME16C coordinate with upstream Schneider NSX or iC60N circuit breakers in a selectivity scheme? Schneider Electric publishes coordination tables (available in the TeSys GV2 catalogue and Ecodial software) that define the selectivity limits between GV2-ME16C and upstream protective devices. In most 400 V TN-S distribution systems, total selectivity is achieved between the GV2-ME16C and iC60N 63A or NSX100 upstream breakers up to the GV2's rated breaking capacity of 100 kA at 415 V. This ensures that a fault at the motor terminal trips only the GV2-ME16C, leaving the upstream feeder and adjacent motor circuits unaffected.

Q3: What is the warranty coverage and lead time for the GV2-ME16C? All GV2-ME16C units supplied by NANKMOS are covered by a 12-Month Warranty against manufacturing defects and functional failure under normal operating conditions. Stock units are available for immediate dispatch with pre-shipment functional testing. For project quantities or scheduled deliveries, lead time confirmation is provided within 24 hours of inquiry. Contact [email protected] or +86 18359268345 for availability and pricing.