GE THED136100WL GE Industrial Circuit Protection Device

Description

Product Model: GE THED136100WL
Product Brand: GE (General Electric)
Product Series: THED Molded Case Circuit Breaker Series
Product Features:

• 3-pole, 100A molded case circuit breaker for industrial power systems
• Rated up to 600VAC, thermal-magnetic trip technology
• Compact footprint for panel and switchboard installations
• High reliability, UL-listed, with field-proven performance

Applications & Industry Context

In today’s demanding industrial power environments, reliable circuit protection is not a luxury — it’s essential. Whether powering a production line, a data center, or a distribution panel, stable and precise overcurrent protection ensures uptime, safety, and compliance. The GE THED136100WL molded case circuit breaker is designed precisely for this purpose: to provide dependable protection for electrical systems across manufacturing, commercial, and infrastructure applications.

This breaker finds its home in low-voltage distribution systems up to 600 volts AC, often installed within GE Spectra Series panels, switchboards, or custom control enclosures. In factories, it safeguards motor feeders, lighting circuits, and branch panels against short circuits and overloads. In large commercial facilities, it forms part of critical protection chains feeding HVAC systems, elevators, and building management systems.

Field engineers frequently choose the GE THED136100WL for retrofit upgrades as well. It’s dimensionally compatible with legacy GE THED frames, allowing straightforward replacement without redesigning the entire panel. This continuity is invaluable in facilities that prioritize long-term maintenance simplicity and compatibility.

Its thermal-magnetic trip system, proven over decades of field use, reacts precisely to overloads and instantaneous fault currents. The result: reliable disconnection when needed, stable operation otherwise, and the peace of mind that comes from a GE-engineered protection device.

Product Role & System Fit

At its core, the GE THED136100WL is a molded case circuit breaker rated for 3 poles and 100 amperes. It protects electrical circuits from damage caused by short circuits, ground faults, and sustained overload conditions.

This breaker fits within GE’s THED family — a compact, field-installable series that supports a wide range of current ratings, trip types, and accessories. The “THED” designation indicates a 3-pole molded case design with thermal-magnetic trip units, while “136100” denotes its frame size and current rating. The “WL” suffix often refers to specific mounting or lug configurations, typically aluminum lugs rated for 75°C conductors.

System designers integrate the GE THED136100WL into distribution panels where space is limited but protection quality cannot be compromised. The MCCB provides coordination with upstream protective devices, ensuring selective tripping and minimizing system downtime during faults.

Thanks to its standardized dimensions, it’s compatible with GE Spectra panels, PowerMark Gold load centers, and numerous OEM enclosures. Its design complies with UL 489 standards, ensuring safe interruption and clearances even at high fault currents.

In modern electrical networks, where loads are dynamic and harmonics are common, a rugged and predictable breaker like the GE THED136100WL ensures dependable protection for sensitive equipment — from control transformers to variable frequency drives.

Technical Features & Benefits

The GE THED136100WL embodies GE’s legacy of reliability and precision engineering in power protection. Here’s what sets it apart:

1. Thermal-Magnetic Trip Technology:
The breaker’s internal mechanism combines two trip elements — thermal for overload protection and magnetic for short-circuit protection. The thermal bimetal strip provides a time delay, allowing harmless inrush currents, while the magnetic coil ensures rapid interruption during fault conditions.

2. Compact 3-Pole Construction:
Built in a compact molded case, the GE THED136100WL occupies minimal space in control panels and MCCs. Despite its small footprint, it maintains a 600V AC insulation rating, ideal for low-voltage power distribution.

3. Reliable Interrupting Capacity:
Rated up to 14 kA at 480V AC, this MCCB delivers strong short-circuit withstand capability, making it suitable for both feeder and branch circuit protection. It meets UL, CSA, and IEC standards for industrial applications.

4. Field-Installable Accessories:
Engineers can easily add auxiliary switches, shunt trips, undervoltage releases, or bell alarms without removing the breaker from service. This flexibility allows the GE THED136100WL to integrate into advanced monitoring and control systems.

5. Durable Industrial Build:
The molded thermoset housing resists impact, moisture, and heat, ensuring mechanical stability even under continuous load. Silver-plated contacts minimize resistance and arcing, extending operational life.

6. Simplified Maintenance and Replacement:
GE’s consistent frame dimensions and labeling make it easy for electricians to identify, test, and replace the breaker during scheduled maintenance. Replacement typically requires no bus modification.

7. UL-Listed and Globally Recognized:
Fully compliant with UL 489, CSA C22.2, and IEC 60947-2 standards, the GE THED136100WL meets international safety requirements — crucial for export equipment and global installations.

From energy-efficient manufacturing to mission-critical building systems, this MCCB consistently delivers the protection expected from GE’s industrial heritage.

Technical Specifications Table

Installation & Maintenance Insights

Installing the GE THED136100WL is a straightforward process for any certified electrician or plant technician. Before installation, verify that the breaker’s rating matches both the conductor ampacity and the load characteristics. The “WL” version includes wire lugs suitable for copper or aluminum conductors — typically up to 2 AWG, depending on insulation type and temperature rating.

Mount the breaker securely to its panel or bus assembly using the provided hardware, ensuring tight contact between terminals and conductors. Torque specifications must be observed precisely to maintain low-resistance joints and prevent thermal buildup.

After installation, conduct a visual inspection for signs of damage, verify trip operation with a test instrument if required, and record the breaker serial number for asset management.

Routine maintenance is minimal — GE recommends periodic visual inspection, cleaning to remove dust or oxidation, and mechanical operation checks to ensure smooth handle movement. The contacts are sealed within the molded case, so internal servicing is not required or recommended.

Should a replacement ever be needed, the GE THED136100WL can typically be swapped without modifying the panel — a testament to GE’s consistent design philosophy across product generations.

Related Models

• GE THED136020WL – 20A version for lighter branch circuits
• GE THED136060WL – 60A model for medium loads
• GE THED136125WL – 125A frame for higher power feeders
• GE THED136150WL – Extended range, 150A maximum rating
• GE THED134100WL – 3-pole compact frame alternative
• GE THED136100 – Same breaker without WL terminal configuration