GE SELA36AI0060 60A 3-Pole 600V Spectra RMS Mag-Break Circuit Breaker

Description

SELA36AI0060 GE / ABB Spectra RMS Mag-Break

Product Introduction

GE SELA36AI0060 is a three-pole Spectra RMS motor circuit protector built on the SE150 frame. The catalog description identifies it as an E-frame, 600 V, 60 A Mag-Break device intended for applications requiring magnetic short-circuit protection rather than conventional long-time overload protection. ABB’s catalog places the model within the Spectra RMS product family and identifies the trip function as Mag Only, with adjustable instantaneous protection and no long-time trip function.

The protection system uses solid-state RMS sensing and digital sampling to evaluate both sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal current waveforms. Spectra RMS motor circuit protectors use front-mounted, field-installable rating plugs, allowing the breaker ampere rating to be established or changed within the applicable frame configuration. For GE SELA36AI0060, ABB specifies interchangeable trip construction, three poles, and 40 A, 50 A, and 60 A rating options within the associated configuration. The cataloged 60 A version therefore should not be treated as a generic fixed-trip breaker without checking the actual rating plug installed in the device.

GE SELA36AI0060 is particularly relevant to motor branch circuits where overload protection is handled separately by the motor starter, overload relay, drive, or other coordinated protection device. Its interrupting capability is voltage-dependent: ABB lists 100 kAIC at 120/240 VAC, 65 kAIC at 277/480 VAC, and 25 kAIC at 600 VAC. That distinction matters when selecting the device for an existing motor control center or replacement project. GE SELA36AI0060 should therefore be matched against the actual system voltage, available fault current, motor starting characteristics, rating plug, and upstream/downstream protection scheme rather than selected solely by the 60 A nameplate value.

Technical Specifications

Specifications above are based primarily on ABB’s catalog record for .

SELA36AI0060

Main Features and Engineering Considerations

Magnetic-Only Protection

The most important point when specifying is its protection philosophy. This is a Mag-Break / magnetic-only motor circuit protector, not a conventional thermal-magnetic breaker providing long-time overload protection. ABB explicitly lists the trip function as Mag Only and long-time protection as unavailable.

For a motor starter, the overload function normally has to be provided elsewhere in the protection scheme. Do not replace a thermal-magnetic MCCB with this device simply because both are labeled 60 A. The coordination study and motor starter design determine whether the magnetic-only architecture is appropriate.

Adjustable Instantaneous Protection

The Spectra RMS system uses solid-state RMS sensing and adjustable instantaneous protection. ABB also describes tracking short-time behavior as part of the Spectra RMS Mag-Break architecture. This is useful in motor applications where the breaker must tolerate expected starting current while still responding to a serious short circuit.

The actual setting should be checked against the motor starting current, conductor ampacity, available fault current, coordination requirements, and upstream protective devices.

Interchangeable Rating Plug

The catalog record lists interchangeable trip construction and 40 A, 50 A, and 60 A amperage configurations. The rating plug is therefore an important part of field identification.

When purchasing a replacement, do not rely only on the breaker frame or catalog number. Photograph or record the rating plug and breaker nameplate. A visually similar SE150 assembly with a different rating plug may produce a different protection configuration.

Voltage-Dependent Interrupting Rating

The interrupting rating changes substantially with system voltage. ABB lists 65 kAIC at 480 VAC but only 25 kAIC at 600 VAC.

For a 600 VAC installation, the 25 kAIC value is the relevant catalog rating. Using the 65 kAIC 480 VAC figure for a 600 VAC application would be a serious specification error.

Legacy GE / ABB Identification

The product is associated with the GE Spectra product family, while current ABB catalog records identify the same catalog number. This matters when searching historical drawings, spare-parts records, and installed equipment. The exact catalog number should take precedence over a brand label alone.

Application Scenarios

• Motor control center feeder protection
• Industrial motor branch circuits
• Motor circuit short-circuit protection
• Pump and fan motor starters
• Compressor motor circuits
• Industrial machinery motor feeders
• Retrofit applications using GE Spectra RMS equipment
• SE150-frame replacement applications
• Systems requiring magnetic-only motor circuit protection

Engineer’s Guide: Field Pitfalls

1. Do not confuse 60 A with the complete trip configuration.
The Spectra RMS architecture uses interchangeable rating plugs. Confirm the installed rating plug before replacing the device.

2. Do not use the 480 VAC interrupting rating at 600 VAC.
ABB specifies 65 kAIC at 480 VAC and 25 kAIC at 600 VAC. System voltage must be considered independently from the frame’s maximum voltage.

3. Do not assume long-time overload protection exists.
This model is Mag Only. Motor overload protection must be provided by the coordinated starter or another appropriate protection device.

4. Verify the physical termination.
ABB specifies TCAL18 lugs. Existing equipment may have different accessories, mounting arrangements, or conductor requirements.

5. Check the available fault current.
The breaker must have an adequate interrupting rating for the actual installation voltage and calculated available fault current.

6. Inspect the rating plug and nameplate before commissioning.
For used or reconditioned equipment, verify the mechanism, trip electronics, rating plug, terminals, insulation condition, and mechanical operation rather than accepting the catalog number alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 60 A circuit breaker?

The catalog description identifies the device as a 60 A Mag-Break, while ABB’s specification table lists 40 A, 50 A, and 60 A rating configurations for the interchangeable-trip SE150 family. Confirm the installed rating plug on the actual breaker.

Is thermal-magnetic?

No. It is a magnetic-only motor circuit protector. ABB lists the trip function as Mag Only and long-time protection as No.

What is the interrupting rating at 600 VAC?

ABB specifies 25 kAIC at 600 VAC. At 480 VAC, the listed interrupting rating is 65 kAIC.

Does communicate with a PLC or DCS?

No. The breaker itself has no communication protocol or current-metering function listed in the ABB catalog.

Can it be reverse-fed?

Yes. ABB lists the device as suitable for reverse feed.

What should be checked before buying a replacement?

At minimum, verify the complete catalog number, SE150 frame, three-pole configuration, rating plug, system voltage, available fault current, lug configuration, physical mounting, and the motor overload protection scheme.

Procurement Note

For a replacement , specify the complete catalog number rather than ordering only an “ 60 A breaker.” Confirm the breaker nameplate and rating plug against the original equipment documentation. For a 600 VAC application, use the 25 kAIC interrupting rating as the relevant ABB catalog value, not the 65 kAIC value associated with 480 VAC.

For used or reconditioned units, request clear photographs of the front label, rating plug, terminals, and mechanism. Electrical testing should confirm insulation condition, mechanical operation, and trip performance appropriate to the application before installation.