In an ABB robot cell, the teach pendant (often referred to as the FlexPendant/TPU) is the human interface to everything that matters: jogging, program edits, calibration, diagnostics, and safe recovery after a stop. When the pendant cable is worn, kinked, or intermittently open under flexing, the failures are rarely polite. You can see pendant disconnects, unstable communication, unexpected stops during commissioning, or faults that only happen when the operator stands in a particular spot and the cable bends “just right.”
ABB 3HAC031683-001 is an ABB-identified robotics spare part described as “SxTPU3 Cable 10 m.” In practical terms, it is a nominal 10-meter pendant cable intended for ABB robot controller environments where the pendant must maintain reliable communication while being handled, dragged, routed through cable hooks, and repeatedly flexed in daily use.
What This Part Is (and What It Is Not)
ABB’s own labeling is concise: SxTPU3 Cable 10 m. Third-party robotics spare-parts channels consistently position this item as a FlexPendant/TPU3 teach pendant replacement cable used with ABB IRC5 robot systems.
It is important not to confuse this with:
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Robot axis power cables (higher current, different insulation and connectors)
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Motor feedback/encoder cables (signal integrity is the focus, but connectors and pinouts differ)
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General industrial Ethernet leads (physically similar to some interfaces, but not a functional substitute)
If your goal is to restore an ABB robot cell to stable operator-interface behavior, the correct part-numbered pendant cable is the “boring but correct” solution.
Key Data and Ordering Information
The table below consolidates ABB-identifying information and logistics/spec data that appear in ABB-distributed product detail sheets for this part.
| Item | ABB / Market-Listed Information |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ABB |
| Part Number | 3HAC031683-001 |
| Catalog / Invoice Description | SxTPU3 Cable 10 m |
| ABB Type Designation | 10 m |
| Nominal Cable Length | 10 m (designation) |
| Overall Length (listed as net depth/length in product sheet) | 10138 mm |
| Net Weight / Gross Weight | 1.08 kg / 2.5kg |
| Minimum Order Quantity | 1 piece |
| Part Type | New |
| Customs Tariff Number | 85444290 |
| WEEE Category | Product Not in WEEE Scope |
A practical note on length: “10 m” is the commercial designation, while 10138 mm reflects a measured/overall dimension figure in the product data sheet (often including connector transitions and strain relief). That small difference is normal in real-world cabling and can matter if your routing is extremely tight.
Where It Is Used (System Context)
One of the most useful pieces of information in ABB-oriented product sheets is the “Where Used” mapping. For 3HAC031683-001, the product detail sheet lists use under ABB Robotics controllers, including:
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Robotics → Controllers → IRC5 → IRC5 Single
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Robotics → Controllers → IRC5 → IRC5C Compact Controller → IRC5C Compact Controller
The same sheet also references related identifiers in a “product specific part data / where used” context (for example, items labeled as an IRC5C Compact Controller Harness and a Controller Module).
What that means in plain engineering terms: this cable is associated with ABB’s IRC5 controller family ecosystems and is treated as a legitimate spare part in that controller structure, rather than a generic accessory.
Why This Cable Matters in Daily Production
Stable operation during programming and recovery
Most robot downtime involves some combination of diagnosis, manual jogging, and controlled restart. If the pendant cable is unreliable, you can lose the ability to safely and efficiently recover—turning a minor stoppage into a long incident.
Reduced intermittent faults
Aged pendant cables commonly fail in a way that produces intermittent communication problems (the worst kind for troubleshooting). A correct replacement cable removes an entire class of “ghost issues” from the fault tree.
Cleaner routing and safer working distance
A 10 m pendant cable is long enough for many cells to allow operators to stand at safer vantage points during setup, without creating extreme slack that becomes a trip hazard or snag risk.
Typical Replacement Scenarios
You usually replace a teach pendant cable for one of these reasons:
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Visible jacket damage or crushed sections (forklift pinch points and cabinet doors are classic offenders)
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Connector wear (loose latch, bent pins, contamination)
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Intermittent pendant disconnects that appear only when the cable is flexed
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Preventive maintenance in high-usage commissioning environments (integrators and busy plants)
Because the pendant cable is handled constantly, it is often a higher-wear item than people expect—especially in plants that run frequent changeovers.
Recommended Procurement and Verification Checklist
| Verification Item | What to Confirm | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Part number accuracy | 3HAC031683-001 | Prevents incorrect variant shipment |
| Description match | “SxTPU3 Cable 10 m” | Confirms you are buying the correct cable type |
| Controller environment | IRC5 / IRC5C context | Reduces compatibility surprises |
| Logistics data | 1.08 kg; tariff 85444290 | Helps shipping cost and customs paperwork |
| Length expectations | 10 m designation; ~10138 mm overall | Prevents routing issues in tight layouts |
Summary
ABB 3HAC031683-001 is an ABB-recognized robotics spare part described as “SxTPU3 Cable 10 m,” with product data indicating 10 m designation, ~10138 mm overall length, and 1.08 kg net/gross weight, plus formal classification details (tariff code 85444290, MOQ 1 piece, part type New). It is explicitly mapped in ABB-oriented product sheets to ABB Robotics controller ecosystems including IRC5 Single and IRC5C Compact Controller environments.
For a robot cell owner or integrator, the value is simple: this is a correct, part-numbered solution for restoring dependable teach pendant connectivity—one of those components that you only notice when it goes bad, and then suddenly becomes the most important cable in the building.
