ABB TF42-16 Thermal Overload R...
IN STOCK (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)
$79.62
ABB TF42-16 Thermal Overload Relay, Class 10

ABB TF42-16 Thermal Overload Relay, Class 10

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Model: TF42-29

In Stock (leaves warehouse same day if ordered before 3pm ET)

$79.62
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ABB TF42-16 Thermal Overload Relay, Class 10

The ABB TF42-16 Thermal Overload Relay is an economical electromechanical protection device built to safeguard motors from overload and phase-failure conditions on the main circuit. Rated Trip Class 10, it carries a Main Circuit voltage rating of 690V AC and an Auxiliary Circuit rating of 600V AC/DC, and it mounts directly to block contactors for a compact, integrated motor-protection assembly. This relay is available across a Motor FLA (full-load amperage) range spanning 13.0-16.0A and 24.0-29.0A settings, so a single family covers a broad span of motor sizes while sharing the same Class 10 trip curve, temperature compensation, and trip-free mechanism for dependable, fast-acting protection on industrial motor circuits.

Key Features

  • Motor FLA Range: Available in settings from 13.0-16.0A up to 24.0-29.0A to match a range of motor full-load current requirements.
  • Trip Class 10: Standard thermal overload trip curve for reliable motor overload protection.
  • Temperature Compensation: Maintains consistent trip performance across varying ambient conditions.
  • Trip Contact (NC) and Signal Contact (NO): Provides both fault indication and remote signaling capability.
  • Selectable Reset: Automatic or manual reset selectable to match application requirements.
  • Trip-Free Mechanism: Ensures the relay trips even if the reset button is held, protecting the motor circuit.
  • STOP Function: Allows manual interruption of the motor circuit when needed.
  • Trip Indication: Visual signal confirms when the relay has tripped.
  • Direct Contactor Mounting: Connects directly to block contactors; single mounting kits available as an accessory.

Technical Specifications

  • Trip Class: Class 10
  • Motor FLA Range: 13.0-16.0A / 24.0-29.0A
  • Voltage Rating: Auxiliary Circuit 600V AC/DC / Main Circuit 690V AC
  • Ambient Air Temperature: Operation -25...+60°C / Operation Compensated -25...+60°C / Storage -50...+80°C
  • IGCC: 5366
  • Packaging: 1 ea

Typical Applications

  • Motor Overload and Phase-Failure Protection
  • Main Circuit Protection for Motor Starters
  • Direct-Mounted Block Contactor Assemblies
  • Industrial Motor Control Panels
  • Commercial and Industrial Electrical Installations

Why ABB?

ABB engineers the TF42-16 family as a straightforward, reliable electromechanical protection solution with temperature compensation and a trip-free mechanism that ensures consistent, fast-acting motor protection across its full Motor FLA range. Selectable automatic or manual reset and direct block-contactor mounting make it a practical choice for professional industrial motor control applications where dependable overload protection at up to 690V AC is required.

Manufacturer Resources

Spec Sheet

Product Specs

Product Type:
Overload Relay
Voltage Rating:
690V
Series:
TF42
Department:
Electrical
Product Group:
Wiring Devices
Amperage Rating:
13.0A - 29.0A
Product Subgroup:
Motor Starters & Contactors

ABB TF42-29 – Frequently Asked Questions

1) What motor full load amp ranges does the ABB TF42 thermal overload relay cover?
Two current settings are offered: the TF42-16 covers 13.0 to 16.0 A motor FLA, and the TF42-29 covers 24.0 to 29.0 A. Pick the model whose range brackets the motor nameplate FLA, then dial the setting to the actual nameplate value rather than the top of the range.
2) Can the ABB TF42 overload relay be used on a 480V or 600V motor circuit?
Yes. The main circuit is rated 690V AC, which covers 480V and 600V three phase motor circuits. The auxiliary circuit (trip and signal contacts) is rated 600V AC/DC.
3) Does the TF42 mount on a DIN rail or does it bolt to the contactor?
It is built to mount directly onto ABB block contactors, so the relay and contactor form one assembly with no separate wiring between them. If you need it to stand alone away from the contactor, a single mounting kit is sold separately as an accessory.
4) Is Class 10 the right trip class for my motor, or do I need Class 20?
The TF42 is a Class 10 device, meaning it trips within 10 seconds at locked rotor current. That suits standard motors with short, light starts such as pumps and fans. Long-accelerating loads, high inertia fans, and centrifuges often nuisance-trip on Class 10 and want a Class 20 curve instead; for those, the Square D TeSys Deca Class 20 relay or the Eaton A200 NEMA starter-mounted Class 20 relay are the alternatives.
5) What contacts does the TF42 give me for the control circuit?
One normally closed trip contact and one normally open signal contact. The NC contact goes in series with the contactor coil to drop the starter on a trip; the NO contact is free for a fault lamp or a PLC input so the panel can report the trip remotely. Both are rated to 600V AC/DC.
6) Can I swap an ABB TF42 in place of a Square D TeSys overload relay?
No, not as a direct drop-in. The TF42 is built to mount onto ABB block contactors, so it lands on the ABB contactor body and not on a Square D one. If the existing starter is Square D, stay in that family: the TeSys Deca Class 20 relay or, for smaller motors, the TeSys K differential relay covering 3.7 to 5.5 A on a Class 10A curve. For a NEMA starter rather than an IEC one, the Eaton A200 starter-mounted relay is the comparable part.
7) I need overload protection for a 5 amp motor. Is the TF42 the right relay?
No. The TF42 range starts at 13.0 A, so a 5 A motor sits well below the lowest setting and would never be properly protected. For that size, the Square D TeSys K differential thermal overload relay covers 3.7 to 5.5 A on a Class 10A curve.
8) What is the closest cross-brand equivalent to the ABB TF42-16 thermal overload relay for a Class 10 motor starter?
The ABB TF42-16 is a Class 10 thermal overload relay that mounts directly to block contactors, with a 690V AC main circuit rating and a 600V AC/DC auxiliary circuit rating. The nearest equivalent by trip class is the Square D TeSys K differential thermal overload relay, which is a Class 10A device covering 3.7 to 5.5 A. The TF42 family runs higher current bands than that TeSys K unit - 13.0 to 16.0 A on the TF42-16 and 24.0 to 29.0 A on the TF42-29 - so match the motor full load amps to the band before treating one as a drop-in for the other.
9) I need a Class 20 overload relay for a high-inertia motor - what do I use instead of the ABB TF42-16?
The TF42-16 is a Class 10 device, so its trip curve is the standard curve and it is not the right pick where a longer accelerating time demands Class 20. For Class 20 protection, look at the Square D TeSys Deca Class 20 thermal overload relay, or the Eaton A200 three-pole thermal overload relay, which is a NEMA starter-mounted Class 20 unit. Choose between those two by the starter you are mounting to - the Eaton is built for NEMA starter mounting.
10) Will the ABB TF42-16 mount on a NEMA starter?
The TF42-16 connects directly to block contactors, and single mounting kits are offered as an accessory for standalone use. It is not a NEMA starter-mounted design. If the panel uses a NEMA starter, the Eaton A200 three-pole thermal overload relay is the NEMA starter-mounted option in the same protection role.
11) My motor draws 26 A full load - can I use the Square D TeSys K LR2K0312 instead of the ABB TF42-29?
No. The TeSys K LR2K0312 is set for 3.7 to 5.5 A, well below a 26 A load. The ABB TF42-29 covers 24.0 to 29.0 A and is the unit that brackets that motor within the TF42 family; the TF42-16 covers 13.0 to 16.0 A. If you need to stay with Square D at that current, move to the TeSys Deca family rather than TeSys K, and confirm the Deca unit's current band matches - note that the Deca relay referenced here is a Class 20 device where the TF42 is Class 10.
12) Will the ABB TF42 protect against a lost phase?
Yes. Along with thermal overload, the TF42 responds to phase-failure conditions on the main circuit, so a single-phasing motor is tripped rather than left running on two legs. It is a differential-style mechanical response, not an electronic phase monitor, so it protects the motor but gives no separate phase-loss indication beyond the trip flag.
13) Can the TF42 relay be set to reset itself automatically after a trip?
Yes, reset mode is selectable on the unit between automatic and manual. Manual is the usual choice on anything an operator approaches, since auto reset can restart a motor unexpectedly on a two-wire control scheme. A STOP function is also built in for manually breaking the motor circuit, and the trip-free mechanism means holding the reset button down will not defeat a trip.
14) Will the TF42 hold its trip setting in a hot electrical room or an unheated outdoor enclosure?
The relay is temperature compensated, so the trip point stays consistent as ambient swings. Rated operating range is -25 to +60 degrees C, compensated across that same range, with storage from -50 to +80 degrees C. That covers a hot panel room as well as an unheated northern enclosure.
15) Is the ABB TF42 an electronic overload relay?
No, it is an electromechanical thermal device: bimetal elements heated by motor current trip the mechanism. No control power, no configuration, no firmware. That makes it a straightforward, low-maintenance choice for standard industrial motor starters, but it does not give the metering, adjustable class, or ground-fault detection an electronic overload would.
16) How is the TF42 packaged for ordering?
Sold as single units, 1 each per pack, in either the 13.0-16.0 A or 24.0-29.0 A current rating. The direct-mount kit for standalone mounting is a separate accessory line.
How fast can I get the ABB TF42-29 delivered?
Most orders ship the same day from our distribution partners, with quick delivery throughout the continental U.S. Need it urgently? Contact Us for expedited shipping options.
Can I return it if it doesn’t work for me?
Yes—ZenSupply offers a hassle-free return policy. If the product isn’t the right fit, reach out to our support team for a return authorization or setup a return by following our return instructions.
Does the ABB TF42-29 come with a warranty?
Absolutely. The ABB TF42-29 is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. For full warranty terms, check the product documentation or Contact Us.
How do I get technical support or installation help for the ABB TF42-29?
You can call, text, or email our expert support team for fast answers. We’re here to help with product selection, installation tips, and troubleshooting. Contact Us
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