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The TR16B1600 is a General Electric rating plug: a 1600A plug for breakers with a 1600A sensor and a MicroVersaTrip Plus trip unit. The BRAH Electric substitute is the BE-TR16B1600, listed for GE Power Break II and AKR circuit breakers. Most compatibility issues with it have one of three causes: the breaker has a different sensor rating, the trip unit is a different generation, or the 1600A rating does not suit the circuit.
All three can be checked from labels before the plug is ordered. This guide shows what to read on the breaker, how the TR16B plug differs from the similar-looking TR16S, and which other plugs BRAH lists for the same trip unit family.
TR16B1600 quick answer
- What it is: a 1600A rating plug, type TR16B, for a 1600A current sensor.
- Trip unit: MicroVersaTrip Plus.
- Breakers: the catalogue lists Power Break II and AKR. The product description also names Power Break I breakers that have a MicroVersaTrip Plus trip unit.
- BRAH part number: BE-TR16B1600, a direct substitute for the GE TR16B1600.
- Same sensor, lower rating: BE-TR16B1000 (1000A) and BE-TR16B1200 (1200A).
- Not the same part: TR16S1600, which is listed for MicroVersaTrip RMS-9 trip units.
What the TR16B1600 does and what it fits
Large GE insulated case and power circuit breakers measure current with sensors (current transformers) built into the breaker. The sensor rating is the most the breaker can be rated. The rating plug sits in the trip unit and fixes the breaker’s ampere rating at or below that value. With a TR16B1600 in a breaker that has 1600A sensors, the breaker is rated 1600A, the full sensor value.
So a rating plug has to agree with two things on the breaker at once. It has to suit the sensor rating, and it has to suit the trip unit it plugs into. A plug that is right on amperage but wrong on either of those is the usual source of trouble.
TR16B rating plugs BRAH replaces
These are the BRAH substitutes for the TR16B plugs. Each is described as a plug for a 1600A sensor on 1600A insulated case circuit breakers. Browse the full range under circuit breaker rating plugs.
| BRAH part | Replaces GE | Plug rating | Sensor rating | Trip unit | Breakers (catalogue) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE-TR16B1000 | TR16B1000 | 1000A | 1600A | MicroVersaTrip Plus | Power Break II, AKR |
| BE-TR16B1200 | TR16B1200 | 1200A | 1600A | MicroVersaTrip Plus | Power Break II, AKR |
| BE-TR16B1600 | TR16B1600 | 1600A | 1600A | MicroVersaTrip Plus | Power Break II, AKR |
The BRAH number is the GE number with BE- in front. For anything not in the table, call (855) 355-2724 with the part number.
TR16B or TR16S: match the trip unit first
The most common mix-up is between two plug types that share the same sensor rating and many of the same amperages. The catalogue lists them for different trip units. One letter in the part number separates them.
| TR16B plugs | TR16S plugs | |
|---|---|---|
| Plug type in the catalogue | TR16B | TR16 |
| Trip unit listed | MicroVersaTrip Plus | MicroVersaTrip RMS-9 |
| Breakers listed | Power Break II, AKR | Power Break I frame types TP, TC, THP, THC, and AKR50, AKR50H |
| Sensor rating | 1600A | 1600A |
| Plug ratings listed | 1000A, 1200A, 1600A | 600A, 800A, 1000A, 1200A, 1600A |
| 1600A plug | BE-TR16B1600 | BE-TR16S1600 |
Read the trip unit name on the front of the breaker and the full number on the plug that is installed. If the old plug reads TR16S1600, order the TR16S1600. If it reads TR16B1600, order the TR16B1600. Do not swap one for the other because the amperage and the sensor rating look the same.
AKR breakers appear in the catalogue listings for both plug types, so the breaker name alone does not tell you which plug it takes. The trip unit does.
Match the sensor rating: other MicroVersaTrip Plus plugs
The second check is the sensor rating. A TR16B plug is for a 1600A sensor. Breakers with other sensor ratings take a different plug type, even when the plug amperage is the same. A 1600A plug, for example, is listed for 1600A, 2000A and 3000A sensors as three different parts. The table groups the other BRAH plugs for MicroVersaTrip Plus trip units by the sensor rating in each description.
| Sensor rating | BRAH rating plugs (plug rating) |
|---|---|
| 600A | BE-TR6B600 (600A) |
| 800A | BE-TR8B800 (800A) |
| 2000A | BE-TR20B1600 (1600A), BE-TR20B2000 (2000A) |
| 3000A | BE-TR30B1200 (1200A), BE-TR30B1600 (1600A), BE-TR30B2000 (2000A), BE-TR30B3000 (3000A) |
| 4000A | BE-TR40B2000 (2000A), BE-TR40B2500 (2500A), BE-TR40B3000 (3000A), BE-TR40B4000 (4000A) |
Find the sensor rating on the breaker. It is normally marked on the breaker or the trip unit and may be lower than the frame size. Then choose the plug type for that sensor, and only then the amperage.
Working through a TR16B1600 compatibility problem
1. Identify the trip unit. Confirm it is a MicroVersaTrip Plus. If it is an RMS-9 unit, the TR16B1600 is the wrong plug type.
2. Identify the sensor rating. It must be 1600A for a TR16B plug. A 2000A-sensor breaker that needs a 1600A rating takes the BE-TR20B1600 instead.
3. Confirm the rating the circuit needs. The plug sets the breaker at 1600A. Check that figure against the one-line diagram, the conductor or bus rating on the load side, and the measured load. If the circuit was designed around 1200A, the correct part is the TR16B1200, and a 1600A plug would leave the circuit under-protected.
4. Inspect the plug and the socket. Pins should be straight and clean. The plug should push in by hand and sit flush in the trip unit. If it will not go in, stop and recheck steps 1 and 2. Never force or modify a plug to make it fit.
5. Compare with the old plug. If the original is available, the label should match the replacement exactly apart from the BE- prefix.
6. Test before returning to service. After any change to the rating plug, have the breaker checked according to the manufacturer’s instructions and your site maintenance program. NFPA 70B covers maintenance of electrical equipment, including circuit breakers.
This guide does not give trip unit settings. The pickup and delay adjustments on the trip unit are set from the GE instructions and the site coordination study, and they should be reviewed whenever the plug rating changes.
Breaker accessories that can look like a rating plug fault
Not every unexpected trip after a plug change is caused by the plug. A breaker that opens with no overload present may be responding to an accessory. Check whether the breaker has a shunt trip or an undervoltage release and whether its control supply is healthy. BRAH lists replacement shunt trips and undervoltage releases for circuit breakers, and the GE TPUV8 replacement guide explains one of those accessories in detail.
If the breaker has had repeated trip problems or shows mechanical wear, a plug will not cure it. Have the whole breaker inspected.
Before you order a TR16B1600 substitute
- Full number on the installed plug, including the letter after TR16.
- Trip unit name on the breaker: MicroVersaTrip Plus for this plug.
- Sensor rating: 1600A.
- Breaker type: Power Break II or AKR in the catalogue.
- Required breaker rating: 1600A, checked against the drawings and the load.
The BE-TR16B1600 product page has photos and a datasheet for comparison. BRAH Electric is an aftermarket manufacturer, not an authorized General Electric distributor. Its parts are designed in-house and tested at its facility in Carlsbad, California. The warranty on rating plugs is 2 years from the invoice date. Returns are accepted within 30 days of shipment with an RMA and carry a 25 to 50% restocking charge, so it pays to confirm the match first. Phone support is on (855) 355-2724, Monday to Friday, 6AM to 5PM Pacific.
Safety
Rating plugs on insulated case and power breakers are changed with the breaker open and isolated, as the manufacturer’s instructions direct. Use lockout/tagout, verify the absence of voltage, and use qualified personnel. OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333 and NFPA 70E set out safe work practices for this kind of task.
TR16B1600 compatibility FAQs
What is the most common TR16B1600 compatibility issue?
Ordering by amperage alone. A 1600A plug exists for more than one trip unit and more than one sensor rating. The plug has to match all three: trip unit, sensor and amperage.
Can a TR16B1600 replace a TR16S1600?
Treat them as different parts. The catalogue lists TR16B plugs for MicroVersaTrip Plus trip units and TR16S plugs for MicroVersaTrip RMS-9 trip units. Order the type that is printed on the installed plug.
Can a plug that physically fits still be wrong?
Yes. A plug with the wrong amperage for the circuit will fit, but the breaker rating will not be what the design calls for. Check the rating against the drawings, not only the fit.
Which breakers does the BE-TR16B1600 suit?
The catalogue lists GE Power Break II and AKR breakers with a 1600A sensor and a MicroVersaTrip Plus trip unit. The description also names Power Break I breakers with that trip unit.
Do I need to replace the whole breaker if the rating plug is missing or damaged?
Not if the breaker is otherwise sound. The plug is a separate part and can be replaced on its own. Repeated trip failures or visible wear are a reason to have the breaker inspected before deciding.
Can I fit a lower rating on the same breaker?
On a 1600A sensor, the TR16B1000 and TR16B1200 set the breaker at 1000A and 1200A. A change of rating should be approved by the engineer responsible for the system.
References
- NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
- NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.333, Selection and use of work practices.