

The Schneider Electric TeSys GV2L08 motor circuit breaker is a motor protection circuit breaker for 3-pole motors with a rated current of 4 A, equipped with magnetic trip only, rotary handle, and screw terminal connection. It is designed to provide fast protection against short circuits in three-phase motor circuits and to perform switching, disconnection, and isolation functions within industrial and automation electrical panels.
The GV2L08 reference is part of Schneider Electric’s TeSys Deca / TeSys GV2 range. Its compact design allows installation on a 35 mm DIN rail or directly on a plate, and it can be combined with TeSys contactors and thermal overload relays to form complete motor starters.
The Schneider Electric GV2L08 has a rated current In of 4 A and uses magnetic tripping technology.
Magnetic tripping is intended to act quickly when a very high current caused by a short circuit appears, preventing the fault from remaining applied to the motor, conductors, and other circuit components.
Unlike the thermal-magnetic motor circuit breakers in the GV2P family, this reference does not include adjustable thermal overload protection.
Although in some commercial descriptions it may be inaccurately referred to as a "magnetic differential," the GV2L08 is not a residual current device and is not designed to detect earth leakage currents.
Its main function is magnetic short-circuit protection for the motor circuit.
Therefore, it should not be confused with:
As it provides magnetic trip only, Schneider Electric indicates that to obtain complete motor protection the GV2L08 must be used together with a suitable thermal overload relay.
Within the combinations specified by the manufacturer, it can be associated with a TeSys overload relay correctly selected for the motor’s rated current.
In this way, each device performs a specific function:
The Schneider Electric GV2L08 has a 3-pole configuration, suitable for protecting three-phase motor circuits.
The three phase conductors pass through the device and are disconnected simultaneously when the mechanism trips or when the user manually places the handle in the OFF position.
The motor circuit breaker incorporates a rotary handle that allows direct switching on and off.
This system makes front-panel operation easier and provides a clear indication of the device status.
Schneider Electric designs the mechanism to withstand a high number of operations, allowing the GV2L08 to be used as a manual switching device within the established operating conditions.
The GV2L range is characterized by its high short-circuit breaking capacity. Schneider Electric technical documentation specifies very high breaking capacities for the GV2L08 in low-voltage networks, depending on the operating voltage and the commercial version considered.
For final product selection, the applicable breaking capacity value for the specific installation voltage and the current Schneider Electric documentation must always be checked.
The high breaking capacity makes it possible to integrate the device into panels where significant short-circuit currents may exist, provided that coordination and selectivity calculations are correct.
The main circuit of the GV2L08 is designed to operate in AC networks up to 690 V AC at 50/60 Hz, within the conditions indicated by Schneider Electric.
Its main electrical characteristics include:
The Schneider Electric GV2L08 is designed in accordance with the categories applicable to motor circuit breakers and switching devices.
The manufacturer’s documentation specifies:
These categories reflect its use as a protection and switching element within motor control circuits.
Schneider Electric specifies that the GV2L08 is suitable for isolation or disconnection according to IEC 60947-1.
This feature allows the device to be used to establish electrical separation of the circuit within the conditions provided by the manufacturer and the installation design.
The GV2L08 reference uses screw-type terminals, providing a firm mechanical connection for conductors.
Depending on the conductor configuration, it accepts:
Wiring must be carried out in accordance with the cross-sections and tightening torques indicated by Schneider Electric to ensure a durable electrical connection.
The TeSys GV2L08 offers two main mounting options:
This versatility makes it easy to integrate into both modular electrical panels and automation cabinets and industrial machinery.
The GV2L08 has a compact design especially suitable for motor starters:
The 45 mm width matches many TeSys motor control components, making it easier to create compact assemblies inside the electrical cabinet.
The Schneider Electric GV2L08 can be integrated with other components from the TeSys family to create complete protection and switching solutions.
Devices that may form part of the assembly include:
The exact reference for each accessory must be selected according to the electrical diagram and the manufacturer’s compatibility tables.
Schneider Electric specifies a mechanical durability of up to 100,000 cycles for the GV2L mechanism.
High electrical durability is also provided in AC-3/AC-3e motor switching applications within the device’s rated conditions.
This robustness makes it suitable for machinery panels and professional applications where numerous operations may be performed over the equipment’s service life.
The motor circuit breaker has an IP20 protection rating according to IEC 60529 and an IK04 mechanical impact resistance.
As a panel-mounted component, it must be installed inside a suitable enclosure that provides the environmental and contact protection required by the installation.
The GV2L08 is designed to operate under different environmental conditions:
The TeSys GV2L08 can be used in motor circuits where independent magnetic protection and high breaking capacity are required.
Typical applications include:
The Schneider Electric TeSys GV2L08 provides a compact solution for protecting motor circuits against high short-circuit currents. Its three poles, 4 A rated current, rotary handle, DIN rail mounting, and screw connection make it easy to integrate into machinery and automation panels.
Its design also allows it to be combined with TeSys contactors and thermal relays to create complete, coordinated motor starters, keeping switching, magnetic protection, and thermal protection functions separate.
Important: the GV2L08 includes magnetic short-circuit protection, but no adjustable thermal overload protection or residual current protection against earth leakage. For complete motor protection, it must be combined with the thermal relay and any additional protection required by the installation design.