Why We Ask for Photos of Your ABB Power Break II Circuit Breaker

Ben Manley
Why We Ask for Photos of Your ABB Power Break II Circuit Breaker

If you’ve ever contacted Essential Parts looking for an ABB Power Break II circuit breaker, you’ve probably heard us ask:

“Can you send us a few pictures of the breaker?”

Many customers wonder why.

After all…

“I already gave you the part number.”

While the part number is incredibly helpful, it often doesn’t tell the whole story.

Power Break II breakers are highly configurable, and many of the most important components can only be verified by looking at the actual breaker. 

What Is a GE or ABB Power Break II?

The ABB Power Break II (originally manufactured under the GE brand) is a family of insulated case power circuit breakers designed for commercial and industrial power distribution.

They are available in:

  • Stationary versions
  • Draw-out versions
  • Frame sizes from 200A through 4000A
  • Multiple interrupting ratings
  • Electronic trip units
  • Numerous factory and field-installed accessories 

Unlike a standard molded case breaker, a Power Break II is often customized for the application.

Example ABB Power Break II Part Number

SHD08B208

Section

Meaning

S

Standard Power Break II Product Family

H

High Interrupting Rating (Hi-Break)

D

Draw-Out Construction

08

800 Amp Frame

B

MicroVersaTrip Plus / PM Trip Unit

2

Trip Unit / Rating Configuration

08

800 Amp Current Sensor

Even without seeing the breaker, this catalog number tells us a tremendous amount about its original factory configuration.

Construction Codes

The third character identifies the breaker’s mounting style.

Code

Description

D

Draw-Out

F

Stationary – Front Connected

B

Stationary – Back Connected (certain frames)

Y / W

Insulated Case Switch

This is one reason photos are helpful—many draw-out and stationary breakers look similar from a distance.

Frame Size Codes

Power Break II breakers were manufactured in several frame sizes.

Code

Frame Rating

02

200 Amp

04

400 Amp

08

800 Amp

10

1000 Amp

16

1600 Amp

20

2000 Amp

25

2500 Amp

30

3000 Amp

40

4000 Amp

Knowing the frame helps narrow down compatible trip units, accessories, cradles, and replacement components.

Interrupting Rating Codes

ABB also identifies the interrupting capacity within the catalog number.

Code

Description

S

Standard Break

H

High Interrupting (Hi-Break)

Selecting the wrong interrupting rating can result in an incompatible replacement, so it’s important to verify this before ordering.

Trip Unit Codes

Power Break II breakers have been offered with multiple electronic trip units over the years.

Code

Trip Unit

B

Enhanced MicroVersaTrip Plus / PM

D

Power+

G

EntelliGuard

Different trip units offer different protection features, communication capabilities, and adjustment ranges, making correct identification essential.

Common Power Break II Accessories

Many ABB Power Break II breakers include optional accessories that may have been installed at the factory—or added years later during maintenance or upgrades.

Common accessories include:

Prefix

Accessory

AS

Auxiliary Switch

BAA

Bell Alarm

BAL

Bell Alarm with Lockout

ST

Shunt Trip

STL

Shunt Trip with Lockout

UV

Undervoltage Release

E

Electric Operator

RCS

Remote Close Solenoid

COUNTER

Mechanical Operations Counter

K4

Kirk Key Interlock

Why the Part Number Isn’t Always Enough

This is one of the biggest misconceptions we encounter.

While the ABB catalog number tells us the breaker’s original factory configuration, it doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s installed today.

Over a breaker’s service life, it may have been:

  • Upgraded with a newer trip unit
  • Retrofitted with a motor operator
  • Modified with auxiliary switches
  • Equipped with a different shunt trip voltage
  • Rebuilt during maintenance
  • Reconfigured during a facility expansion

These changes often aren’t reflected in the original nameplate or catalog number.

That’s why our sales team almost always asks for photos before quoting replacement breakers or accessories.

A few clear pictures help us verify the exact configuration and dramatically reduce the chance of ordering the wrong parts.

📸 The 5 Photos That Help Us Identify Your Breaker

To speed up your quote and ensure we identify the correct breaker and accessories, send us:

✓ Front of the breaker

  • Shows the overall configuration and installed accessories.

✓ Nameplate

  • Confirms the catalog number, serial number, frame, and ratings.

✓ Close-up of the trip unit

  • Identifies the exact trip unit family and settings.

✓ Side of the breaker

  • Reveals motor operators, shunt trips, undervoltage releases, and accessory modules.

✓ Draw-out cradle (if applicable)

  • Helps verify secondary disconnects, cradle style, and mounting configuration.

Pro Tip: The more photos you send, the faster we can identify your breaker and recommend the correct replacement parts.


Two Breakers Can Have the Same Part Number…But Be Very Different

This surprises many customers.

Over the life of a Power Break II breaker, accessories are frequently added, removed, or replaced.

For example, one breaker may have:

  • Shunt Trip
  • Undervoltage Release
  • Bell Alarm
  • Auxiliary Switches
  • Motor Operator
  • EntelliGuard TU Trip Unit

While another breaker with the same base catalog number may have none of those options. 

That’s why photos are so valuable.

Accessories We Look For

Trip Unit

The trip unit is often the most important component.

Different breakers may have:

  • Spectra RMS
  • MicroVersaTrip
  • EntelliGuard TU
  • Other electronic trip configurations

A photo lets us identify exactly what is installed.

Motor Operator

Many customers only discover they have a motor operator after removing the front cover—or by sending us a picture.

Motor operators can have different control voltages, making visual confirmation important. 

Shunt Trip

A shunt trip allows the breaker to be opened remotely.

The voltage rating matters.

Examples include:

  • 24 VDC
  • 48 VDC
  • 125 VDC
  • 120 VAC
  • 240 VAC

A photograph of the accessory label often confirms the correct replacement.

Undervoltage Release

These modules look similar to shunt trips but serve a completely different purpose.

Ordering the wrong one can result in costly delays.

Auxiliary Switches

Power Break II breakers can be equipped with multiple auxiliary switch modules.

Photos help determine:

  • Quantity
  • Configuration
  • Existing wiring
  • Available mounting locations

Bell Alarm

Some breakers include bell alarm modules that indicate when the breaker trips.

Others do not.

Again, a quick picture tells us immediately.

Draw-Out or Stationary?

This is one of the first things we verify.

From a distance, many breakers appear similar.

A single photo quickly confirms whether your breaker is:

  • Draw-out
  • Fixed-mounted

This dramatically reduces the chance of ordering the wrong replacement.

Nameplates Don’t Always Tell the Whole Story

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the breaker’s nameplate contains every detail.

Unfortunately, that’s rarely the case.

Many accessories are:

  • Added years after installation
  • Replaced during maintenance
  • Field-installed
  • Upgraded during shutdowns

The nameplate doesn’t necessarily reflect those changes.

What Photos Should You Send?

To help us identify your breaker as quickly as possible, we recommend sending:

Front of the breaker

Shows:

  • Overall configuration
  • Trip unit
  • Handle style
  • Accessories

Breaker nameplate

Confirms:

  • Catalog number
  • Frame
  • Ratings
  • Serial number

Trip unit close-up

Helps verify:

  • Trip unit family
  • Settings
  • Options

Side of the breaker

Useful for identifying:

  • Motor operators
  • Wiring
  • Accessory modules

Inside the compartment (if safely accessible)

Sometimes this helps identify:

  • Secondary disconnects
  • Draw-out hardware
  • Mounting configuration

Never remove covers or expose energized equipment solely to take photos. If you’re unsure, have a qualified electrician or maintenance technician assist.

Better Photos Mean Faster Quotes

A few clear pictures often allow us to:

  • Identify obsolete parts
  • Cross-reference replacements
  • Verify accessories
  • Avoid ordering mistakes
  • Reduce project delays

In many cases, photos eliminate multiple rounds of emails and help us get you the correct breaker or accessory the first time.

We’re Here to Help

At Essential Parts, we specialize in new, obsolete, and hard-to-find ABB, GE, Siemens, Eaton, Schneider Electric, and other electrical power distribution products.

Whether you need:

  • A complete ABB Power Break II breaker
  • A replacement trip unit
  • A motor operator
  • A shunt trip
  • An undervoltage release
  • Auxiliary switches
  • Bell alarms
  • Or help identifying what you already have…

Our team is ready to help.

Sometimes, the fastest way to find the correct part is as simple as sending a few photos.