TEC36015 - GE - E-Frame Mag-Break Motor Circuit Protector - 15 Amp - 3 Pole - 600 Volt
TEC36015 - GE - E-Frame Mag-Break Motor Circuit Protector - 15 Amp - 3 Pole - 600 Volt
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The GE TEC36015 is a 15A, 3-pole E-frame Mag-Break motor circuit protector with magnetic-only trip, rated 600VAC for motor control centers, combination motor starters, and GE A-Series and Spectra Series panelboards.
A motor circuit protector is not an ordinary circuit breaker, and the difference matters when you specify one. The TEC36015 has no thermal element — it responds only to short circuits and ground faults through an adjustable magnetic trip, with overload protection handled separately by the starter's overload relay. That division of labor is what lets a combination starter ride through motor inrush without nuisance tripping while still clearing a bolted fault in milliseconds. The magnetic pickup adjusts from 42A to 198A, so the same device can be tuned to the locked-rotor characteristics of the specific motor it protects. Rated 10kA at 600VAC with standard lug terminals.
Specifications
| Brand | GE / ABB (General Electric) |
|---|---|
| Series | E-Frame Mag-Break, Type TEC |
| Part Number | TEC36015 |
| Amperage | 15A |
| Magnetic Trip Range | 42A – 198A (adjustable) |
| Voltage | 600VAC, 480VAC, 240VAC |
| Poles | 3 |
| Phase | 3 |
| AIC Rating | 10kA @ 240VAC, 10kA @ 480VAC, 10kA @ 600VAC (UL 489) |
| Mounting Style | Unit Mount |
| Terminal Type | Lugs |
| For Use With | Motor Control Centers, Combination Motor Starters, GE A-Series Panelboards, GE Spectra Series Panelboards |
| Trip Technology | Magnetic Only (Instantaneous) |
| Trip Function Code | I |
| Trip Adjustability | Adjustable Magnetic |
| Wire Range | #14–3 AWG (Cu), #12–1 AWG (Al) |
| Available Options | Shunt Trip, Auxiliary Switch, Undervoltage Release |
| Standards | UL 489, CSA C22.2 No. 5.1 |
| Approvals | UR, CSA |
| Construction Features | Mag-Break, Motor Circuit Protector, Adjustable Instantaneous Pickup |
| Operating Temperature | 40°C |
| Shipping Dimensions | 10 x 8 x 8 in |
| Shipping Weight | 8 lb |
| Condition | New |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a motor circuit protector and a circuit breaker?
A motor circuit protector like the TEC36015 has magnetic (instantaneous) trip only — it protects against short circuits and ground faults but provides no thermal overload protection. Overload duty is handled by the starter's overload relay. A standard breaker includes both thermal and magnetic elements.
Can the TEC36015 be used as a standalone branch-circuit breaker?
No. Under the NEC and UL 489, a motor circuit protector must be installed as part of a listed combination motor controller with an overload relay. It cannot provide branch-circuit overcurrent protection on its own.
What is the adjustable magnetic trip range?
42A to 198A. The setting is chosen based on the protected motor's locked-rotor current so the device rides through starting inrush but still trips fast on a fault.
What does Mag-Break mean?
Mag-Break is GE's trade name for its magnetic-only motor circuit protector line.
What is the interrupting rating of the TEC36015?
10kA at 240VAC, 480VAC, and 600VAC.
Where does the TEC36015 install?
Motor control centers, combination motor starters, and GE A-Series and Spectra Series panelboards, using unit-mount hardware.
What wire sizes does the TEC36015 accept?
#14–3 AWG copper or #12–1 AWG aluminum conductors.
How do I set the magnetic trip correctly?
The instantaneous pickup is typically set at a multiple of the motor's full-load amps as permitted by NEC Article 430 — commonly up to 1300% for a motor circuit protector — and then adjusted upward only if the motor fails to start. Follow the starter manufacturer's listed combination instructions.