Lovato SM1P2500 Motor Protection Circuit Breaker 20-25 A

Lovato SM1P2500 motor protection circuit breaker, 20 to 25 A

The Lovato SM1P2500 is the 20 to 25 A member of the SM1P motor protection breaker family. It is a three-pole thermal-magnetic breaker for motors of roughly 11 kW at 400 V, and it differs sharply from the small SM1P0160 in one respect: its breaking capacity falls as the voltage rises, which has real consequences for panel design. Seven Star LLC supplies the SM1P2500 in Oman and the GCC as an independent supplier in Muscat.

In the type code, SM1P is the family and 2500 is the rated current, 25 A, the top of the adjustment band. The thermal band runs 20 to 25 A, and the magnetic release is fixed at 13 times In, giving roughly 325 A at the top setting.

SM1P2500 technical specifications

Reading the SM1P2500 breaking capacity figures

Compared with the SM1P0160, which achieves 100 kA throughout, the SM1P2500 shows Icu of only 15 kA at 400 V and Ics of 5 kA. Those numbers are the limit for installation: if the fault level at the point of installation exceeds them, the breaker needs an upstream fuse or moulded-case breaker to take the let-through energy. That is why a 25 A motor starter in a large Oman substation, where the prospective current can be 25 kA or more, almost always has back-up protection ahead of the SM1P2500.

How the SM1P2500 trips

A bimetal trip follows current over time and a magnetic trip reacts instantly above 13 In. Phase-failure sensitivity is included, so a motor that loses one phase heats less before the breaker opens. The tripping class of 10A means the thermal curve is calibrated for starts of up to about ten seconds.

Where the SM1P2500 fits in a motor starter

Used with the BF2510A230 contactor, an AC-3 rated 25 A part for 400 V, the SM1P2500 produces a matching 25 A combination starter. The BF1810A230 takes an 18 A rating, so it pairs with a lower SM1P band such as SM1P1800. At 25 A the breaker stays DIN-rail compatible, so a row of starters can be built without moving to moulded-case devices.

SM1P2500 selection and ordering checklist

• Verify the motor nameplate current is between 20 and 25 A at the site voltage
• Calculate prospective short-circuit current and compare with the 15 kA Icu at 400 V; add back-up protection if higher
• Check that 690 V systems are not specified, because breaking capacity falls to 2 kA there
• Confirm a class 10A curve suits the load starting time
• Select a matching BF-series contactor for the combination
• Allow for 2.83 W per pole of dissipation when sizing panel ventilation

If the fault level is the problem rather than the current, the catalogue lists the SM1R2500 with the same 20 to 25 A band and a higher 50 kA breaking capacity at 400 V. It is a Type E part with its own UL combination controller ratings, so it is worth asking about when a project needs both the higher rating and the Type E designation. The step up in the family to SM1P3200 (24 to 32 A) has a lower 10 kA capacity, which shows that breaking capacity does not always rise with the model number.

Installation and maintenance of the SM1P2500

Tighten the power terminals to 2.5 to 3 Nm and strip cables 10 mm. The device may be mounted in any plane, though vertical is normal. Set the dial to the measured running current, and record the setting on the panel schedule. At 25 A the thermal dissipation is noticeable, so leave a gap between adjacent units in hot enclosures. Re-torque terminals during annual shutdowns, because thermal cycling loosens screw terminals over time.

Typical SM1P2500 applications in Oman and the GCC

Motors at this size drive seawater booster pumps, process cooling-water pumps, compressor aftercoolers, ventilation fans in tunnels and plant rooms, and conveyors. In coastal desalination or power sites, check the enclosure rating and corrosion protection: a C5-M atmosphere will attack unprotected terminals long before the breaker wears out.

SM1P2500 compared with other SM1P ratings

Information to send with an RFQ for the SM1P2500

• Part number SM1P2500 and quantity
• Motor kW, voltage and nameplate current
• Prospective fault level at the panel
• Planned contactor and any back-up fuse
• Enclosure ambient temperature
• Any marking requirement

Site conditions in Oman for the SM1P2500

Low-voltage switching and protection devices in Oman often sit in motor control centres and outdoor panels where internal temperatures are high for much of the year. When you select the SM1P2500, check its rated values at your real ambient temperature, as stated in the manufacturer documentation, and confirm the coordination with upstream protection and with the motor or load it serves. Short-circuit levels differ from site to site, so verify the breaking capacity required at the point of installation.

Standardising ratings and coil voltages across a project reduces the number of spare part numbers that need to be stocked. Keeping a small stock of the SM1P2500 and recording settings such as trip ranges or ramp times shortens repair work during a breakdown.

Documents and quotation

Send the part number SM1P2500 and we will confirm the documents available for it, such as the technical data sheet, wiring diagram and instruction sheet, together with availability and lead time.

Seven Star LLC is an independent supplier in Muscat and is not an official channel of the manufacturer. Share the quantity, delivery location and project reference with the request and we will answer with a formal quotation.