Solving SH-V400 Obsolescence with a Locally Supported Vacuum Contactor Solution

The Challenge

When Mitsubishi confirmed the SH-V400 would be discontinued in 2026, it created a clear issue for underground equipment manufacturers — including AmpControl, one of Australia’s leading designers and manufacturers of mining electrical equipment. The SH-V400 had been a core part of AmpControl’s 1000VAC switching designs for many years, and a like-for-like replacement was needed to continue supporting their installed base.

The replacement needed to meet strict criteria. Existing bus bar systems had to bolt directly onto the new contactor, meaning termination point positioning had to be as close as possible to the SH-V400. Previous attempts to source alternative vacuum contactors from overseas had already failed, with performance issues in tough mining environments ruling out earlier candidates.

The solution also needed to work for the wider Australian market — ensuring that every manufacturer and overhaul workshop requiring this contactor could access a compliant, reliable replacement, whatever their order volume.

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The Solution: Hansen Electric

Leveltec identified Hansen Electric, a Czech Republic-based manufacturer of flameproof electrical equipment for the underground mining industry, as a suitable solution for the Australian market.

Hansen Electric manufactures vacuum contactors for use in their own underground mining equipment, and that proven foundation made the HR-VS range a strong starting point.

Leveltec Engineering worked directly with Hansen’s engineers and designers to modify the standard 1200V 450A HR-VS contactor to meet Australian mining requirements. The mounting system was redesigned to match the SH-V400 bolt positions, the auxiliary contact arrangement was repositioned to suit the new mounting, and bus bars were added to align termination points as closely as possible to the original.

The result was a contactor that could be installed into existing equipment with minimal or no modification to bus bar systems.

To support delivery timeframes, the Leveltec team completes the mounting modifications locally in Australia. Standard Hansen contactors are shipped to Australia, with final modifications completed here to order.

Hansen Electric Hr Vs4

Key Features

  • Contactor base unit: Hansen Electric HR-VS4 — 1200V AC, 450A, EN 60947-1 / EN 60947-4-1
  • Modifications developed in collaboration with Hansen Electric:
    • Redesigned mounting system to match Mitsubishi SH-V400 bolt positions
    • Auxiliary contact arrangement repositioned to accommodate new mounting
    • Bus bars added and positioned to align with SH-V400 termination points
  • Mechanical life: 1 × 10⁶ operations
  • Switching frequency: 1200 cycles/hour 
  • Leveltec part reference: LEV-HAN-HRVS4001 (base unit). 

The Hansen Electric Range

The first order of just under 100 units was placed with Hansen Electric on behalf of AmpControl, with a Leveltec applications engineer travelling to the Hansen factory in the Czech Republic to oversee the engineering process and verify all requirements prior to shipment to Australia.

Subsequent orders from across the Australian mining equipment and overhaul sector followed, now fulfilled by Leveltec Engineering locally, ensuring the solution remains accessible to everyone who needs it.

Where previous replacement attempts had fallen short, the combination of Hansen Electric’s underground mining experience and Leveltec’s local engineering capability delivered a solution the industry can rely on.

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