Description
GE SGLA36AT0400 Molded Case Circuit Breaker
Product Introduction
The GE SGLA36AT0400 is a three-pole molded case circuit breaker from the GE Spectra RMS family, built around the SG600/SGL frame platform for higher-current distribution and feeder protection. The catalog designation identifies a 400 A frame/sensor configuration with a maximum system voltage of 600 VAC. ABB documentation and its Spectra-to-Tmax cross-reference continue to identify SGLA36AT0400 as an SGL-frame product, while legacy GE documentation places the exact catalog number within the 400 A, three-pole Spectra breaker family.
The GE SGLA36AT0400 uses a solid-state electronic RMS sensing and trip system rather than a simple thermal-magnetic mechanism. Its LSI protection functions provide separate long-time, short-time, and instantaneous protection, making the breaker suitable for distribution feeders where coordination with upstream and downstream protective devices matters. The breaker is rated for 600 VAC and has a 65 kA interrupting rating at 480 VAC according to the published product data.
For replacement work, the GE SGLA36AT0400 should be treated as a complete protective-device configuration rather than simply a “400 A breaker.” The Spectra platform uses interchangeable rating plugs, so the frame catalog number and installed rating plug both matter when establishing the actual trip rating. ABB documentation shows the SGLA36AT0400 can be associated with different rating-plug values, including 125 A through 400 A configurations.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Product Model | |
| Manufacturer / Brand | General Electric (GE) |
| Product Family | Spectra RMS |
| Product Type | Molded Case Circuit Breaker |
| Frame | SGL / SG600 |
| Poles | 3 |
| Frame/Sensor Rating | 400 A |
| Voltage Rating | 600 VAC maximum |
| Interrupting Rating | 65 kA at 480 VAC |
| Trip Technology | Solid-state electronic RMS sensing |
| Trip Functions | LSI — Long-Time, Short-Time, Instantaneous |
| Rating Plug | Interchangeable / field-selectable architecture |
| Connection | Bolt-on |
| Mounting | Panel / molded-case breaker mounting |
| Communication Protocol | None inherent to the breaker |
| Interface Type | Power terminals and mechanical/electrical trip accessories |
| Protection Function | Overload and short-circuit protection |
| Operating Accuracy | Governed by the Spectra RMS electronic trip system; exact trip tolerances depend on the applicable trip unit/rating plug |
| Environmental Rating | Verify the original installation documentation and breaker nameplate before replacement |
The published GE/ABB material confirms the 600 VAC, three-pole, 400 A and 65 kA characteristics. The actual protective setting must not be inferred from the frame number alone because the Spectra architecture uses interchangeable rating plugs.
SGLA36AT0400
Main Features and Engineering Considerations
1. Spectra RMS Electronic Trip Architecture
The belongs to the Spectra RMS family and uses electronic RMS sensing. This is important in applications where current protection must be coordinated with other breakers rather than relying only on a fixed thermal response. The LSI trip functions provide long-time overload protection, short-time protection for coordination, and instantaneous protection for high-current fault conditions.
2. 400 A Frame Does Not Automatically Mean 400 A Trip Setting
This is one of the most important procurement checks. The is a 400 A frame/sensor configuration, but the Spectra system uses interchangeable rating plugs. ABB documentation lists rating plugs from 125 A through 400 A for the relevant 400 A frame. A replacement breaker should therefore be ordered and inspected together with the required rating plug rather than assuming the installed breaker is configured for its full frame rating.
3. Interrupting Capacity Must Match the Actual System
The commonly published configuration carries a 65 kA interrupting rating at 480 VAC. That number should not be casually treated as a universal 65 kA rating at every voltage. Fault-current calculations, system voltage, available short-circuit current, and the applicable UL/installation requirements should be checked against the project documentation before installation.
4. Bolt-On Installation
The is a bolt-on molded-case breaker intended for panelboard or distribution equipment installation. Physical fit alone is not sufficient for a field replacement. Bus arrangement, terminal hardware, breaker mounting pattern, conductor size, phase orientation, and accessory configuration should all be compared with the existing assembly.
5. Legacy Equipment Requires Extra Verification
appears in GE legacy documentation and ABB’s later Spectra-related documentation. ABB now provides Spectra-to-Tmax XT cross-reference information, but a modern cross-reference should not be interpreted as permission to replace a legacy breaker without an engineering review.
Application Scenarios
- Main or feeder protection in industrial distribution panels
- Large motor feeder circuits
- Industrial MCC and power distribution systems
- Commercial electrical distribution
- 600 VAC-class feeder protection
- Retrofit work on legacy GE Spectra RMS switchgear
- Replacement of existing breakers where the original mounting and protection configuration must be preserved
Engineer’s Guide: Field Pitfalls
Do not order solely by “400 A, 3-pole, 600 V.” The belongs to a configurable Spectra platform. Rating plug selection can change the effective breaker rating, so the existing rating plug should be physically inspected.
Do not confuse frame rating with trip rating. A 400 A frame can be configured with lower rating plugs. ABB documentation explicitly lists multiple rating-plug values for the 400 A Spectra frame.
Check the actual interrupting requirement. The 65 kA figure commonly associated with this configuration is specified at 480 VAC. Do not copy that number into a different system voltage without checking the applicable rating.
Check accessories separately. Shunt trips, auxiliary contacts, undervoltage releases, terminals, and other accessories can materially affect interchangeability. A physically similar breaker is not automatically electrically equivalent.
Verify the existing panel construction. Bolt-on mounting, bus spacing, lug arrangement, conductor size, and enclosure configuration should be checked before dispatching a replacement.
Inspect the nameplate and rating plug. For an old installed breaker, the physical nameplate is more useful than a purchasing description copied from an old bill of materials. Record the breaker catalog number, rating plug, trip configuration, accessories, and terminal arrangement before replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a PLC or DCS module?
No. It is a molded case circuit breaker from the GE Spectra RMS family. It provides electrical circuit protection rather than control-system I/O or communication functions.
What is the current rating of ?
The is associated with a 400 A SG600/SGL frame. The installed rating plug determines the configured ampere rating, so the breaker should not automatically be described as a 400 A trip device without checking the rating plug.
How many poles does have?
It is a 3-pole breaker. GE/ABB documentation identifies the exact catalog number in the three-pole 400 A family.
What voltage is rated for?
The published configuration is rated up to 600 VAC. The applicable interrupting rating must still be checked against the actual system voltage.
Does have electronic protection?
Yes. It belongs to the Spectra RMS family and uses a solid-state electronic RMS sensing/trip architecture with LSI protection functions.
Is still a current-generation GE product?
It is a legacy GE Spectra product designation that remains documented in ABB’s electrical-product and cross-reference material. ABB now provides Spectra-to-Tmax XT cross-reference information, but replacement selection should be based on the complete installed configuration rather than catalog-number similarity alone.
Procurement Note
For purchasing or maintenance records, specify the complete identifier as:
GE — Spectra RMS — SGL/SG600 frame — 3-pole — 400 A frame — 600 VAC — 65 kA at 480 VAC — electronic RMS/LSI protection.
Before approving a replacement, confirm the rating plug, trip configuration, mounting arrangement, terminal/lug configuration, accessory package, system voltage, and required interrupting rating. For an installed legacy breaker, a clear nameplate photograph and rating-plug identification are preferable to relying on an old equipment list alone.
