The ABB 3HAC9038-2 is an ABB Robotics spare part described by ABB as a “Control cable power L=15 m.” In practical robotics terms, this is a long-length power/control cable assembly used to deliver reliable electrical connectivity between major robot system elements (typically between controller-side interfaces and robot-side power connection points, depending on the robot/controller configuration). Because it is a pre-defined ABB spare part, it is intended to match ABB’s expected mechanical fit, connector system, and routing requirements for supported ABB robot installations.
Power and control cabling in robotics is not a commodity accessory. It is a reliability component. Robots live in a world of vibration, repeated motion cycles, electromagnetic noise from drives, cabinet temperature changes, and real-life cable handling during maintenance. A cable that is merely “compatible” can create the most annoying fault class in automation: intermittent, load-dependent, temperature-dependent behavior that disappears when a technician is standing in front of it. The point of using the correct ABB-designated assembly is simple: reduce variables, stabilize signal and power delivery, and keep troubleshooting time sane.
What makes 3HAC9038-2 distinct
The part is consistently referenced in the market as a robot power/control cable with a 15 m length, aligning with ABB’s official description. Some industrial spare-part listings also provide physical and logistics information that matters when you are planning inventory and shipping: net weight around 15.16 kg, and a net length of 15,000 mm (15 m).
That weight is a useful reality check. A 15 m robot power cable assembly is not a thin patch cord; it is a substantial harness designed for industrial duty, typically with robust insulation, shielding and/or protective jacket structure, and connectors built for long-term retention. (Exact internal construction varies by robot family and cabinet interface, so the safest approach is: verify by the robot’s spare parts list for your target model.)
Key Product Data (Table)
| Field | Value / Notes |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ABB Robotics |
| ABB Part Number | 3HAC9038-2 |
| ABB Catalog Description | Control cable power L=15 m |
| Common Market Description | Robot power/control cable, 15 m |
| Net Length | 15,000 mm (15 m) |
| Net Weight | 15.16 kg |
| Gross Weight | 16kg |
| Typical Category (market classification) | Robot cable & accessories |
| Minimum Order Quantity (example listing) | Often sold as 1 piece |
Where this cable fits in an ABB robot system
A long power/control cable like 3HAC9038-2 is most often selected when the controller cabinet cannot be located close to the manipulator, or when an installation requires extended reach due to cell layout constraints. The 15 m length is a common “industrial compromise” distance: long enough for many real-world layouts (robot on one side of a guarded cell, cabinet outside the fence, cable routed along a protected path), but short enough to remain manageable for installation and signal integrity.
Cables in this class must survive three enemies simultaneously:
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Mechanical stress (pulling, bending, abrasion, accidental pinch points)
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Electrical stress (drive noise, grounding issues, connector heating under load)
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Environmental stress (oil mist, coolant splash, dust, temperature cycling)
Using the specified ABB assembly helps reduce the risk of connector mismatch and routing issues, which are among the most common causes of “it worked for six months and then went weird.”
Practical advantages (why buyers choose the exact part number)
1) Correct length, predictable routing
A 15 m cable changes the whole routing strategy. You need appropriate cable trays, bends that respect the cable’s stiffness, and proper strain relief at the termination points. When you buy the exact ABB spare part, you are choosing a known-length assembly that aligns with documented layouts and service assumptions for supported systems.
2) Connector compatibility and retention
Robot power cables are not only about conductor size. Connector keying, locking mechanisms, and retention hardware determine whether a cable stays reliable under vibration and thermal cycling. Third-party “equivalent” cables sometimes fit electrically but fail mechanically over time due to poor connector retention or strain relief design.
3) Reduced troubleshooting risk
Intermittent cabling faults can mimic many other failures: drive faults, measurement faults, safety-related dropouts, or random power-stage alarms. Having the correct cable assembly helps eliminate a major variable during fault isolation. This is especially valuable in plants where downtime costs dwarf the price of a spare.
Installation and handling notes (field-friendly guidance)
Because this is a heavy, long cable assembly (often listed around 15.16 kg), installation quality matters. These are the details that keep a “correct part” from turning into an “incorrect outcome.”
Cable routing discipline
Use a route that avoids sharp edges and avoids rubbing at a single point. Abrasion damage is slow and predictable, which is exactly why it gets ignored until the day it is no longer slow.
Strain relief, not “cable hanging”
At both ends, ensure the cable is supported so that the connector does not carry the cable weight. With a cable mass in this range, gravity becomes a mechanical design input, not a rounding error.
Bend radius awareness
Do not force tight bends near connector backshells. That is where internal conductor fatigue and shield damage often begin. If you must turn corners, use gradual sweeps and proper supports.
Grounding and noise hygiene
Industrial robot cells are noisy electrically. Proper grounding and routing away from high-noise paths helps avoid control instability. Even when the robot “runs,” poor noise hygiene can show up as occasional nuisance faults that waste hours.
Typical symptoms when a power/control cable is failing
This section is not a claim about any specific fault code; it is the maintenance reality of robot cabling in general.
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Random or intermittent system trips that correlate with motion, vibration, or temperature.
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Visible jacket damage, crushed sections, or worn spots where the cable contacts a structure.
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Connector heating, discoloration, or signs of arcing at contacts.
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Issues that temporarily improve after reseating or re-routing the cable.
The painful part is that intermittent problems often disappear during inspection. A correct replacement cable can convert a “mystery” into a resolved incident quickly.
Procurement notes (how to buy with fewer surprises)
When purchasing ABB 3HAC9038-2, use a purchase description that includes both the part number and ABB’s catalog wording:
“ABB Robotics 3HAC9038-2 Control cable power L=15 m.”
If you are sourcing from a broker or surplus channel, request photos of labels and connectors, and verify that the listing clearly identifies the cable as a 15 m robot power/control cable. Some sellers will also publish weight; use that as a sanity check against the typical ~15.16 kg figure shown in multiple listings.
Closing summary (indexable, buyer-facing)
The ABB 3HAC9038-2 is an ABB Robotics spare part officially described as a Control cable power L=15 m. It is widely classified in the market as a robot power/control cable intended for ABB robot installations requiring extended reach, and is commonly listed with a 15 m (15,000 mm) length and an approximate 15.16 kg weight. For maintenance teams and integrators, the value of using the correct ABB-designated cable is straightforward: predictable fit, stable connectivity, reduced intermittent fault risk, and faster return to service when a cable must be replaced.
