The encyclopedia · Product & Design · Product decision · 2026
ABB's MS116 starter: a thermal trip that can stick when overloaded
Nonconforming parts can jam the bimetal and trip mechanism — no thermal trip on overload, overheating risk. Korea recall 4 Aug 2026; inspect, replace or return.
ABB · 2026-08-04
What happened
ABB Korea recalled manual motor starters MS116 (0.63A to 12A — the 1.6, 2.5, 4.0, 6.3 and 10A ratings) made in date codes W2615 to W2618, listed in Korea on August 4, 2026: nonconforming internal components can degrade the bimetal and stick the trip mechanism.
With the thermal trip stuck, an overload heats the starter instead of cutting it — property and personal-injury risk where the starters protect motors in panels and machines. No incident was reported; the risk came out of ABB's own assessment.
Owners stop use and contact ABB Korea for inspection, replacement or return — four weeks of production, pulled at the spring.
Why it happened
- Nonconforming internal components can stick the trip mechanism — no thermal trip on overload, overheating risk; Korea recall Aug 4, 2026, date codes W2615–W2618
- The starter is the motor's fuse with a reset button — when its trip sticks, the overload burns everything downstream
- Found by risk assessment, not by fire — four production weeks pulled before the first incident
The lesson
A motor starter's whole value is the trip that ends a bad hour. Four date codes with a stuck mechanism are a reminder that the protector is a product too, with its own bad weeks.
Sources
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