Vacuum Contactors ConVac

Vacuum Contactors

ConVac: Reliable and flexible solution for industries, utility, service-providers and marine sectors

The motor and capacitor switching solution

ABB’s medium voltage contactors are suitable for controlling electrical loads of motors, transformers and capacitor banks. Thanks to the breaking technology with vacuum interrupters, ABB’s medium voltage contactors can operate in particularly difficult environments from -30°C up to 55°C.

ABB’s medium voltage contactors are available for original equipment manufacturers (OEM), panel builders and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPCs) and end users to incorporate in their own installations or for use in repair, retrofit and upgrade projects.

ABB supports customers and partners in staying ahead of increasing electrification needs, technology, and regulatory changes, providing the power to adapt to a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Customer benefits

Maximize your result

<ul> <li>Easy to install and customize</li> <li>All electrical connections are plug-and socket with integrated terminal box saving up to 40% of wiring time</li> <li>Plug-in accessories to reduce the customization time up to 80% </li> </ul>

Optimize logistic

<ul> <li>One single freestanding unit conforming to IEC, UL and CSA standards at 7.2 kV 400 A</li> <li>Plug-in accessories to reduce the customization time up to 80%, which are also common for 7.2 and 12 kV units </li> </ul>

Optimize investments

<ul> <li>Freestanding units allow panel design optimization and lower development efforts thanks to: common platform between ConVac 7 400 A and ConVac 12 - same fixing and terminals position  flexible installation position  </li> <li>Draw-out units provided with a full range of accessories, including units self-supplied by an on-board VT </li> </ul>

ABB's portfolio for Vacuum Contactors

About ConVac

ConVac is ABB’s medium voltage vacuum contactor platform up to 12 kV. If equipped with the correct fuses, ConVac can also guarantee protection with a fault level up to 50 kA. ConVac is suitable for applications that require a high number of operations and/or a very high switching frequency, such as:
- Three-phase motors AC-3 or AC-4 class according to IEC standards and E1 and E2 class according UL/CSA standard (7.2 kV freestanding only)
- Capacitors: single and back-to-back application according to IEC 62271-106 and IEEE C39.09a
- Transformers: small footprint, flexible and user-friendly solution for switching.
Technical features
- Rated voltage: up to 12 kV
- Rated current: up to 400 A
- Rated short circuit current:
  up to 6 kA unfused;
  50 kA with SCPD (normal fuses)
Applications
- Industrial facilities (manufacturing, processing plants)
- Utilities (power generation and distribution)
- Service-providing sectors (e.g., data centers, hospitals)
- Shipbuilding and marine applications
- Renewable energy installations
- Mining and metallurgy
- Oil & gas and chemical industries
Learn more

Leaflet
eConfigure Devices

Configure your vacuum contactor

Product scope

ConVac

IEC

UL/CSA standards

Rated voltage

up to 12 kV

up to 7.2 kV

Rated current

up to 400 A

up to 400-800 A

Rated short circuit current

up to 6 kA unfused; 50 kA with fuses

up to 6-12.5 kA unfused; 50 kA with fuses

Technology

Vacuum

Operating mechanism

Electrical or mechanical latching

Mechanical operations

1 million cycles

Standards

IEC 62271-106

UL 347 and CSA C22.2

Industries

Industry, utility, service-providers and marine

Industry, utility, service-providers

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Frequently Asked Questions

A vacuum contactor is a mechanical switching component capable of making, carrying and breaking currents under normal circuit conditions including operating overload conditions. Contactors are not capable of switching and withstanding short-circuit currents and must therefore be adequately protected. ABB ConVac vacuum contactor has a stable hold position (open position).

Contactors differ from the other switching component categories as they normally have a stable hold position (open position) while the alternative position (closed position) is maintained by an auxiliary power supply or, in certain cases, by a mechanical latch. Since contactors are not meant for short-circuit current interruption, they are able to provide a very high number of mechanical and electrical operating sequences to be engineered.

Thanks to the optimized structure and the high reliability of our solutions, ABB’s ConVac is characterized by a long service lifetime with limited interventions aiming to ensure trouble-free operation of the apparatus for the longest possible time. During the entire service life, ConVac needs very limited maintenance, and the vacuum interrupters are maintenance free.

ConVac has flexible installation positions. Multiple installations are possible depending on the application needs, such as forward or backward wiring easier for main circuit design and set up, and optimized connection routes to use less material.