ABB 3HAC035320-001 is an ABB Robotics control cable for signal connections, supplied in a 3-meter length. In ABB’s own product listing, it is identified simply as a “Control cable signal 3m.”
In real robot cells, signal cables are the quiet “plumbing” that keeps feedback, measurement, and low-level control information intact as it travels between robot-side electronics and controller-side interfaces. If the cable is wrong (incorrect type, damaged shielding, wrong length, poor connectors, or inconsistent impedance), the symptoms tend to look like “random” faults: intermittent encoder/measurement alarms, unstable motion enable, sporadic communication drops, or noisy position feedback that only appears under specific motion profiles. In other words: the cable rarely gets the blame first, even when it deserves it.
This part number is also referenced in ABB robot documentation as a shielded signal cable in the 3 m length class, and it commonly appears alongside longer-length alternatives (for example 7 m and 15 m signal cable variants listed in the same family).
What This Cable Is (and Why “Signal” Matters)
A “signal” control cable in an industrial robot context typically carries low-voltage, low-current information—measurement signals, feedback lines, and other sensitive electrical data that must remain stable in an environment full of switching power supplies, servo drives, motor phases, safety devices, and EMI sources. That is why ABB documentation commonly describes these signal cables as shielded, emphasizing noise control and integrity of the transported signals.
Even when the cable looks physically fine, degradation can occur in subtle ways:
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Shield braid fatigue from repeated bending near the connector backshell
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Micro-cracking in insulation that only arcs or leaks under humidity, coolant mist, or vibration
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Connector pin fretting (tiny oxidation wear) that causes intermittent continuity
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Ground reference instability when shield termination is poor or inconsistent
A correct OEM-matched cable like 3HAC035320-001 is meant to reduce those unknowns: correct connectorization, correct shielding approach, and correct length/fit for the cable routing that ABB expects.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | ABB (Robotics spare/connection component ecosystem) |
| Part Number | 3HAC035320-001 |
| Common Description | Control cable, signal |
| Cable Length | 3 m |
| Shielding | Listed as shielded signal cable in ABB robot documentation context |
| Category (market listings) | Robot cable / robot cable accessories |
| Typical listed shipping gross weight (reseller) | 1.5kg |
Where It Fits in an ABB Robot System
ABB robots and controllers are modular: motors, feedback devices, SMB/measurement units, internal harnesses, and controller interfaces all need consistent cabling standards. This is why ABB cable part numbers are often managed like “functional spares,” not generic wire.
In ABB documentation and market listings, 3HAC035320-001 is positioned as a signal/control cable with a defined length, and it appears in the same family as longer variants used when cabinet placement or dress-pack routing requires additional reach.
Practically, the 3 m length is typically chosen for:
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Compact controller placement near the robot base
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Short cable routing inside a cell with tight dress-pack constraints
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Retrofit where the original cable length must match clamps, routing channels, and bend radius planning
Installation and Handling Notes (Field Reality, Not Theory)
Signal cables fail most often at their mechanical stress points, not in the middle of the run. When installing or replacing 3HAC035320-001, the goal is to preserve shielding continuity and connector integrity while minimizing strain.
| Topic | Recommended Practice |
|---|---|
| Bend radius | Avoid tight bends near connector backshells; keep bends gradual, especially near moving axes |
| Strain relief | Use proper clamps/strain relief points so the connector is not acting as a hinge |
| Routing | Keep signal cable routing separated from motor power cables where possible to reduce EMI coupling |
| Connector mating | Ensure full seating and correct torque/locking mechanism; partial engagement causes intermittent faults |
| Shield strategy | Do not defeat or “float” the shield arbitrarily; shield behavior is part of the cable’s design intent |
Troubleshooting: When a “Good” Robot Behaves Badly
If you suspect a signal/control cable issue, look for patterns that correlate with motion or environment:
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Faults that appear only during acceleration or high-speed moves
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Alarms that disappear after a reboot but return under load
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Issues that are temperature-dependent (cold start vs warmed-up cabinet)
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Problems that change when the cable is gently moved (classic intermittent connection indicator)
A high-value diagnostic approach is substitution: replacing with the known-correct part (or swapping between two identical robots/cells) to see if the problem follows the cable. Because ABB lists this as a defined 3 m signal cable, using the correct part number removes ambiguity compared to “close enough” third-party builds.
Sourcing, Authenticity, and the Boring Truth About Spares
3HAC035320-001 is widely visible through industrial spare channels and reseller catalogs, which is useful for availability—but it also means you should be strict about verifying:
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Exact part number on label/packing (including suffix)
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Connector type, keying, and backshell style
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Shield termination quality and cable jacket consistency
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Seller documentation and return/warranty terms (varies widely)
Reseller listings often repeat the same short description (“CONTROL CABLE SIGNAL 3M”) and provide logistical details like listed weight. Treat those as helpful operational info, but prioritize ABB identification and traceability for critical cells.
Summary
ABB 3HAC035320-001 is a 3-meter signal/control cable used in ABB Robotics environments, commonly referenced as a “Control cable signal 3m” and associated with shielded signal-cable usage in ABB documentation contexts.
If you’re building reliable robot uptime, cables like this are not accessories—they are part of the feedback chain that determines whether motion control remains stable in real industrial noise. Choosing the correct length and correct ABB part number can save you from the worst kind of downtime: intermittent faults that waste hours and make everyone blame the controller, the drive, the motor, and the universe—before noticing the cable.
