Sourcing the correct spare part for ABB switchgear can be difficult when equipment has been in service for years and model designations aren't always obvious from the outside. This guide breaks down the most commonly required spares model-by-model — across ABB's vacuum circuit breakers, SF6 ring main units, and metal-clad switchgear panels — so you know exactly what to check for and what to ask for when placing an order. A full part-number catalogue (no pricing, just article numbers and descriptions) is available to download here.
Vacuum Circuit Breakers
ABB VD4
The VD4 is ABB's most widely deployed MV vacuum breaker platform, and its spares list is correspondingly the largest. Common requirements include tulip contact assemblies in 8, 10 and 12-finger configurations rated from 630A to 3150A+, contact arms sized to specific pole geometries (12.12.40, 12.16.40, 12.20.40 and larger frame variants), common truck assemblies matching the mechanism generation, EL/MO/MC coil families (opening, closing and undervoltage release coils across 24V–250V AC/DC), MU coil assemblies, insulating covers, and auxiliary relay/contactor units (APPL-RL1) for control voltages from 24V to 250V. Socket/accessory fittings and enbloc mechanism units round out the list for older EL2-mechanism units still in service.
ABB VMAX
VMAX shares much of its contact and coil architecture with VD4 (same tulip contact part numbers, MU coil assemblies, and APPL-RL1 relays), but has its own common truck assemblies and EL2-mechanism enbloc units, plus insulating covers (central and side) specific to the VMAX enclosure. Socket and accessory-panel fittings are also commonly requested.
ABB VIND
VIND spares center on the pole assembly itself — insulating pole units rated 630A and 1250A, insulating cap assemblies, and sliding pocket contacts unique to this platform's contact design — alongside tulip contacts shared with the VD4 family. Auxiliary switch assemblies (5NO+5NC configurations), control switches, tripping spring assemblies, and mechanical operation counters are the other frequently ordered items, along with the same MU/APPL-RL1 coil and relay parts used across the VD4/VMAX range.
ABB VBF-EL3
VBF-EL3 uses the EL3 mechanism platform, so its spares are dominated by MO/MO1/MO2 opening coils and MC closing/shunt release coils across the full 24V–250V AC/DC voltage range, plus MU undervoltage coil assemblies and coil support brackets. Because VBF-EL3 breakers are also used in SF6-insulated applications, gas-handling accessories (cylinders and filling devices, shared with OHB/SDB) are commonly paired with these electrical spares.
ABB HCA
HCA breaker spares are built around its distinctive tulip support and contact system — tulip supports rated at 1250A and 2000A, machined tulip supports for the 12/3140 frame, complete tulip assemblies in 15-finger (1250A) and 24-finger (2000A) configurations, and a separate 3150A contact system. Mechanical spares include charging device assemblies, switch-and-magnet assemblies for the mechanical close pushbutton, micro switch assemblies (typically supplied as a set of 4), phase barriers, support insulators and arm assemblies, plus top/bottom TFM (terminal/fixing) components specific to the HCA frame.
ABB HPA
HPA has the largest single spares list in the range, reflecting its wide field population. Key categories: motor assemblies (110V and 220V AC/DC) for the charging mechanism, two-level pressure switches, auxiliary switches and micro switch assemblies (with and without ball-detent variants), and a full anti-pumping relay lineup spanning nearly every control voltage from 24V to 230V AC/DC. Given the range of voltage variants stocked for this single breaker family, confirming the exact control voltage from the nameplate is especially important before ordering HPA coil or relay spares.
ABB OHB
OHB is an SF6-insulated breaker, so gas-system spares are central: SF6 gas cylinders (3.75kg) and gas-filling devices (shared with VBF-EL3/SDB). Electrical spares include close/trip coils across 24V–220V DC, charging motors (110V DC / 220V AC-DC), and magnet assemblies for the Indian-market mechanism variant. Mechanical spares include the ESH9 basic mechanism (shared with the HD4 platform), damper assemblies, tripping spring assemblies, top caps, auxiliary switches (13NO+13NC), and operation box assemblies.
ABB SDB
SDB shares its coil family directly with VBF-EL3/VD4 (MO/MO1/MO2 opening coils, MC closing coils, MU undervoltage coils across the same 24V–250V range) and its operating mechanism is the EL2/Vmax-type unit. Auxiliary switch assemblies and coil support brackets are the remaining commonly stocked spares — SDB's spares list overlaps significantly with VD4/VMAX/VBF-EL3, so cross-checking mechanism type against the nameplate helps confirm compatibility.
Ring Main Units (RMU)
ABB SafePlus
SafePlus is ABB's SF6-insulated compact RMU platform. Frequently replaced parts include 400-series bolted-type bushings with matching O-rings, 9kg SF6 gas cylinders, 2PA and 3PKE operating mechanisms (with or without hex rod), trip coils (SAFEO force amplifier type, WIC and ASHIDA variants), opening/closing manual-operation fingers, illuminated pushbuttons (red "O" / green "I"), and mounting brackets for the K and A mechanisms. On the protection side, the ASHIDA ADR241S numerical relay with Modbus communication is a common upgrade/replacement item, along with VPIS voltage-presence indicator cords and capacitor units, Ronis key interlocks, and cable terminal accessories (T-shrouds, reducer studs) for 11kV/22kV connections.
ABB SafeLink
SafeLink's mechanism is motor-operated, so geared motors (24VDC through 220-250V AC/DC) are the most frequently ordered item, alongside the same shunt closing release (MC) and tripping/opening coil family used across the VD4-derived platforms (24V–250V AC/DC). Auxiliary switch assemblies, closing-spring signalling switches, and switch elements (S826 type) complete the electrical spares list. Bushings, SF6 handling equipment and interlocking hardware largely mirror the SafePlus platform since both share the same gas-insulated switchgear design lineage.
Switchgear Panels
ABB UniGear ZN1
ZN1 panel spares center on the bushing and current-transfer system: top bushing assemblies, bottom bushings for LT-CT applications, shroud and shroud-cover sets, current collectors, contact pins, and aluminium PT mounting blocks with guide ramps. Top and bottom shutter assemblies are stocked in both 600mm and 800mm widths to match different panel widths, and rack handles are used for moving the breaker truck between service/test/disconnected positions.
ABB UniGear ZS1
ZS1 is one of the most common metal-clad panel types and has the widest bushing range — 1250A/40kA-rated bushings, 2000A bushings (shared with VHE12S/UniSafe), contact pins in multiple diameters (35mm and 55mm bore, several lengths) up to 2500A-rated 108mm pins, and interpanel/intermediate bushings rated to 35/95kV BIL. Rack handles, double-bit keys, and earth-switch operating handles are the other frequently ordered mechanical spares, along with cylindrical shrouds for bushing isolation.
ABB UniGear ZS2
ZS2 bushing assemblies are rated 1250A, 2000A and 2500A, with a separate epoxy bushing completion kit and support insulator. Shutter-system ball bearings are stocked separately for the 1250-2000A and 2500A shutter assemblies, and CB door interlocks are available across 24V, 48V and 60V DC variants — confirming the door interlock voltage against the nameplate before ordering avoids a mismatch. Earth switch operating handles (EK6 type) and rack handles complete the mechanical spares list.
ABB UniSafe
UniSafe is a withdrawable-truck panel design, so trolley and guide-rail hardware is prominent: left-hand and right-hand guide rails (2000/600 and 2000/601 variants), adjustable breaker transport trolleys sized for the 600/750mm and 750/2000A cubicle configurations, and monoblock contact assemblies rated 1250A and 1600A. Shroud sets are available for both 2-busbar/2-jumper and 4-busbar/4-jumper cubicle configurations, along with contact pins (1250A/1600A), lower contact plates, and cubicle handles.
ABB VHA
VHA panels use a distinct racking mechanism with its own selector and handle parts — racking selector switches, rack-in handles, and limit switches in 1NO+1NC and 2NO configurations. Main contact sets scale from 1250A up through 3150A (with separate upper/lower contact part numbers, and a C-type-only variant at 3150A), and 22kV insulators plus 24-pin plug/socket terminal blocks handle the panel's secondary wiring interconnections.
ABB VHE
VHE has the smallest spares footprint in the range, focused on the bushing/contact-pin system: bushings rated 1250A and a shared 2000A/3150A bushing (common with UniGear ZS1), contact pins across 1250A/2000A/3150A ratings, and shutter assemblies in 800mm and 950mm widths.
Ordering the Right Spare
Because part numbers are specific to the exact breaker/panel generation and current/voltage rating, always confirm the following before ordering: the model designation printed on the equipment nameplate, the rated current and voltage, the control voltage of the mechanism (for coils/motors), and — where relevant — the mechanism type (EL2, EL3, MO1/MO2, 2PA, 3PKE etc.). A photo of the nameplate is usually the fastest way to get an accurate quote.
TEKTOW maintains a stocked spares list across all these ABB product lines — VD4, VMAX, VIND, VBF-EL3, HCA, HPA, OHB, SDB breakers; SafePlus and SafeLink RMUs; and UniGear ZS1/ZS2/ZN1, UniSafe, VHA, and VHE panels. You can download the full part-number catalogue or send us your equipment's nameplate details and our team will match the exact spare part and provide pricing.