High incident energy. A newly released breaker. A scheduled outage just days away.
When an electrical contractor reached out to CBS ArcSafe, the situation was clear: They needed to remotely operate a Siemens molded case circuit breaker due to the gear’s elevated incident energy rating. The breaker model, Siemens 3VA6, was new to the market, and a remote switch actuator solution had yet to be developed.
Adding to the importance, the timeline was crucial for the customer. The device needed to be deployed in less than a week to support a critical planned weekend outage and failure to meet that window wasn’t an option.
Engineering a Solution at Speed
CBS ArcSafe’s engineering team immediately began developing a new remote switch actuator (RSA) for the Siemens 3VA6 breaker. Leveraging fully modeled CAD systems and an extensive applications library built from hundreds of prior designs, the team rapidly created a custom solution.
From design to fabrication to production build and quality assurance, every step was compressed into days rather than weeks. The result: the RSA-286G, a purpose-built solution engineered specifically for safe operation of the Siemens 3VA6 molded case circuit breaker.
The device was delivered in time for the contractor’s scheduled outage, enabling the required switching operation while keeping personnel outside the arc flash boundary.
Why Remote Operation Matters in High Incident Energy Environments
Molded case breakers are assumed to carry lower risk than larger switchgear systems. However, in installations with significant incident energy levels, especially in industrial environments or systems with high available fault current, operating energized equipment exposes personnel to severe arc flash hazards. These hazards can include high-pressure blast events, shrapnel and molten metal, and the potential for life-altering injuries. The RSA product line is designed specifically to remove operators from that danger zone.
In high-risk environments, distance can mean everything. With the RSA-286G installed:
- The actuator mounts securely to the breaker without equipment modifications
- Operation is performed remotely using the RSO-IAR-M18 remote switch operator
- Personnel exit the arc flash boundary before initiating the switching action
- OPEN and CLOSE operations are completed from a safe distance
Designed for Real-World Conditions
Like all CBS ArcSafe products, the RSA-286G was built with practical field conditions and ease-of-use in mind.
The device features:
- Application-specific mounting for Siemens 3VA6 breakers
- Secure magnet-based attachment system
- Adjustable locator and depth positioning
- Controlled travel adjustments for ON and OFF operations
- The operator is powered by a Milwaukee M18 RedLithium Ion battery pack
Installation is straightforward, and once secured, the device allows technicians to perform switching operations without direct contact with energized equipment. Importantly, this solution requires no modification to the existing breaker or switchgear, which helps preserve the integrity of the original equipment while enhancing safety.
More Than a One-Off Success Story
This rapid-response project is not an exception. It reflects a core strength of CBS ArcSafe: the ability to design, build, and deploy remote operation devices for new and emerging equipment models, often under urgent timelines.
With nearly two decades of experience and hundreds of remote racking and switching solutions deployed worldwide, CBS ArcSafe has built an unmatched electrical safety portfolio. When a breaker or switch is introduced to the market, our team is prepared to engineer a solution quickly and precisely.
And when time is critical, that capability makes all the difference.
Backed by the Strength of Group CBS
As a Group CBS company, CBS ArcSafe customers also gain access to a broad electrical equipment ecosystem through the Power of One. As part of one group that provides complete electric power system life-cycle solutions, we can source equipment from 10 A molded case circuit breakers to 38 kV load switches, support upgrades, provide testing and maintenance services, deliver emergency response, assist with asset management, and more.
This integrated support ensures customers are not just solving a single safety issue but strengthening the reliability and performance of their entire electrical distribution system.
Your Urgency Is Our Priority
Electrical outages are planned down to the hour. Contractor schedules are tight. Production downtime is expensive. When high incident energy adds risk to essential operations, there is no room for delay.
CBS ArcSafe is here to ensure that critical switching and racking procedures can be performed safely, without exposing personnel to arc flash danger. Contact us today to discuss your safety needs.