GE to ABB Cross Reference (Contactors, Starters & Breakers)
GE’s industrial control and distribution business — the contactors, starters, and molded case breakers on nameplates everywhere — was acquired by ABB in 2018. Some lines continued under ABB with the same catalog numbers; others were formally transitioned to ABB families with published crosses. Knowing which situation your part is in is half the battle, and this page sorts it.
Continued lines: the CR305/CR306/CR309 NEMA contactors and starters remain in production under ABB — your GE CR305 catalog number is the current ABB catalog number, and renewal coils, contact kits, and auxiliary blocks carry forward. Transitioned lines with official crosses: GE definite-purpose contactors have a published ABB cross-reference (transcribed below), and GE’s Spectra™ and Q-Line enclosed breakers transition to ABB’s FORMULA A2 and Tmax XT families — frame by frame, with the rating-plug caveats ABB flags where a cross lands in a lower frame capacity. Legacy layers: older GE lighting contactors (CR160MC) and Joslyn Clark-era crosses are mapped in their own tables for plants maintaining pre-1990s gear.
The tables below are organized by product family with the ABB source document cited on each — check the notes column, because a handful of breaker crosses change accessories or footprint.
We stock GE-legacy and current ABB control across all of these families, plus the obsolete originals when matching existing gear matters more than modernizing. Part number and a nameplate photo gets you a verified cross and a quote, usually same day.
Table of Contents
- → 1. The GE to ABB Industrial Transition
- → 2. CR305 / CR306 NEMA Control (Continued Lines)
- → 3. GE Definite Purpose Contactors to ABB Cross Reference
- → 4. Spectra & Q-Line Breakers to FORMULA A2 / Tmax XT
- → 5. Legacy CR160MC Lighting & Joslyn Clark Cross Reference
- → 6. Source Reference Documents & Resources
- → 7. Source Your Hardware From TCI Supply
1. The GE to ABB Industrial Transition
When ABB acquired GE Industrial Solutions, they implemented a multi-tiered migration strategy. Certain core lines—most notably the heavy-duty NEMA motor control sector—were rebranded to ABB but kept their exact part numbering structures and physical footprints, allowing for perfect backwards compatibility. However, breaker frames and Definite Purpose (HVAC-style) contactors were phased out and replaced by ABB’s globally standardized lines (Tmax XT and DP series). Navigating this requires checking whether your part number is a “continued line” or a “transitioned line.”
2. CR305 / CR306 NEMA Control (Continued Lines)
The classic GE NEMA motor control line was adopted by ABB in its entirety. You do not need to cross-reference these part numbers to a new format; the legacy GE catalog number is the current ABB catalog number.
| Legacy GE Product Line | Product Type | Current ABB Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR305 Series | NEMA Contactors | ABB CR305 Series | Continued line. Coils, contact kits, and footprints match identically. |
| CR306 Series | NEMA Starters | ABB CR306 Series | Continued line. Overload heater tables remain unchanged. |
| CR309 Series | Reversing Starters | ABB CR309 Series | Continued line. Mechanical interlocks are backward compatible. |
3. GE Definite Purpose Contactors to ABB Cross Reference
| Legacy GE DP Series | Amp Range | ABB Replacement Series | Reference & Notes (LCM 5/15/19) |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR453A / CR553A | 20A – 40A | ABB DP Series (e.g., DP30C…) | Verify coil voltage matching (24V, 120V, 240V). Multi-mounting base provided on most ABB models. |
| CR453B / CR553B | 50A – 90A | ABB DP Series (e.g., DP50C…) | Lug size and wire capacity must be verified if replacing older 90A 3-pole configurations. |
4. Spectra & Q-Line Breakers to FORMULA A2 / Tmax XT
The GE Spectra and Q-Line breakers were officially phased out. Replacements using ABB FORMULA and Tmax XT breakers often require specialized panelboard mounting kits or rating plug adjustments.
| Legacy GE Frame | ABB Replacement Frame | Mounting / Trip Unit Notes | ABB Guide Ref |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q-Line (THQB, THQC) | FORMULA A2 | Mounting footprints vary. Often requires a retrofit kit for panelboard installation. | 1SXU930001G0201 |
| Spectra SE150 (SEHA, SELA) | Tmax XT2 / XT4 | Tmax XT utilizes advanced Ekip trip units or standard thermal-magnetic. Rating plugs must match exact load requirements. | 1SXU930001G0201 |
| Spectra SF250 (SFHA, SFLA) | Tmax XT4 | Direct swap requires specific panelboard hardware adapter kits. | 1SXU930001G0201 |
| Spectra SG600 (SGHA, SGLA) | Tmax XT5 | Higher short-circuit current ratings (SCCR) available on XT5. Verify busbar clearances. | 1SXU930001G0201 |
| Spectra SK1200 (SKHA, SKLA) | Tmax XT7 | Requires careful specification of Ekip Dip or Ekip Touch trip unit configurations. | 1SXU930001G0201 |
5. Legacy CR160MC Lighting & Joslyn Clark Cross Reference
| Legacy System | Legacy Model | GE / ABB Replacement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Lighting Contactors | CR160MC Series | CR460 Series | Verify pole count (configurable up to 12 poles) and mechanically held vs. electrically held operation. |
| Joslyn Clark Contactors | CV Series (e.g., CV2, CV3) | ABB/GE CR305 / CR306 | Cross published via legacy Catalog 057102200. Match exact NEMA size and coil voltage. |
6. Source Reference Documents & Resources
Source Reference Documents:
Related Resources & Categories:
7. Source Your Hardware From TCI Supply
We ship these products worldwide! Delivery is normally stock. Request a Quote now or call us at 1-800-755-2883 for expert assistance.
Cross-references are provided as a selection aid. Breaker retrofits require strict adherence to panelboard sizing, continuous current constraints, and interrupting capacities (AIC). Always consult a TCI Application Engineer and official documentation before committing to a legacy breaker upgrade.