Schneider rep is totally wrong. The setting is based on NEC Code and is based on FLC of the motor. If you put in a different size breaker the answer does not change. The setting is based on the breaker so if the handle reads 100 A and you set it to 5x, the setting is 500 A. But what setting you are allowed to use initially is 11x the FLC of the motor or less. If it trips you are allowed to increase it, ONE notch at a time, until it is no more than 17x FLA. So if it is 50 A you can set it to 5x using my example, no more since 50x11 is 550. If it trips, move to 6x and try again. Continue to no more than 50x17 or 850 A which means 8x even if the breaker has higher settings.
The initial surge is caused by the initial magnetization of the motor frame. It has nothing to do with the load at all. You get the same surge whether it is loaded or even uncoupled.