A Remote Handle for Dangerous Switchgear: CBS ArcSafe’s New RSK-CGM.3 Keeps Workers Out of the Arc Zone

What the RSK-CGM.3 does and why it matters on the job

CBS ArcSafe has unveiled the RSK-CGM.3, a remote racking and switching kit built for Ormazabal’s CGM.3 medium-voltage switchgear. In plain terms, this device lets a worker operate and move circuit breakers from a safe distance instead of standing right next to the gear when it is being closed, opened, or racked.

That matters because the highest danger when working on live or partially energized switchgear is arc flash — a sudden electrical explosion that can throw out molten metal and cause severe burns or worse. The RSK-CGM.3 is designed so a technician can do routine operations from tens of feet away or from behind a barrier, reducing the chance of being hit by an arc event while performing normal tasks like inserting or removing breakers or operating discharge switches.

How the RSK-CGM.3 fits with Ormazabal CGM.3 models and the specs that matter

CBS ArcSafe built the RSK-CGM.3 specifically for Ormazabal’s CGM.3 line of cubicle-type switchgear. That means it matches the CGM.3’s mechanical interfaces — the breaker racking gear, the operating handles, and the mounting points — rather than being a generic add-on that needs excessive modification.

Key practical specs the company highlights are the remote kit’s mechanical fit to the CGM.3 racking mechanism, the length and reach of the control rods, and the control unit’s ability to perform both racking (sliding the breaker in and out of the cubicle) and switching (opening or closing the breaker). CBS ArcSafe also notes the system is designed to be used from the front of the cabinet and from a distance that removes the operator from the immediate arc-flash boundary.

For operations staff and engineers, that means fewer field modifications and simpler installation. The RSK-CGM.3 is intended to attach to the existing breaker interface without cutting or welding, preserving the switchgear’s original condition and certification where possible. The design also aims to be robust enough for repeated field use in substations, plants, and large commercial installations.

Real improvements to safety and lower on-the-job risk

The core safety gain from remote racking and switching is physical separation. Arc flashes radiate thermal energy and blast force; distance and barriers reduce the exposure. By letting technicians crank a breaker in or out from a remote station, the RSK-CGM.3 reduces the chance that a worker will be in the arc-flash boundary during a job that used to require hands-on access.

Beyond distance, remote operation trims the number of times a worker needs to be at the panel while other teams are changing line conditions nearby. For example, a maintenance crew switching feeders or testing relays can leave racking to the remote operator, cutting the number of people exposed during a sequence of switching steps. On a busy shop floor or substation, that lowers the odds of a coincidental fault creating a casualty.

There’s also a practical operational benefit: the kit standardizes the motions for racking and switching. That reduces human error compared with awkward manual cranking in tight spaces, and can shorten the time needed to complete a task — another small reduction in how long a team is exposed to risk.

Who will buy it: utilities, factories and large commercial sites

The RSK-CGM.3 is aimed at three main buyer groups. First are electric utilities that manage substations and need to protect line crews. Second are heavy industrial plants — chemicals, metals, mining, pulp and paper — that run medium-voltage distribution inside a plant and face the high consequence of arc-flash events. Third are commercial sites with sizable electrical rooms, like big data centers or hospitals, where uptime and staff safety are both priorities.

Typical uses include routine maintenance racking, de-energizing circuits for repairs, emergency isolation of a faulty feeder, and training scenarios where operators want to practice without being in harm’s way. Anywhere repeated breaker operations happen under live or partially energized conditions, the remote kit can shorten the list of people who must be near the gear.

Where CBS ArcSafe and Ormazabal sit in the switchgear world

CBS ArcSafe is a specialist in remote operation safety gear. Its business model is to make add-ons and retrofit kits that let crews operate existing switchgear from safer positions. Ormazabal is a maker of medium-voltage switchgear used by utilities and industry. The two companies occupy different parts of the same ecosystem: Ormazabal supplies the switchgear itself; CBS ArcSafe supplies the safety tools that attach to that gear.

That separation matters for customers: the remote kit is not a replacement switchgear. It is a safety accessory that relies on the original manufacturer’s mechanical and electrical architecture. For service teams and distributors, it also means sales and support often follow existing networks for switchgear parts and field service rather than coming from a single-source vendor.

How quickly it could be adopted — and what buyers should plan for

Adoption depends on a few practical steps. Installers will need to check fit on the exact CGM.3 variant they own, order any minor mounting hardware, and train staff on remote controls and safe procedures. Operators who already use other remote kits should find the learning curve small; teams new to remote racking should plan for one or two supervised practice runs before trusting the kit in a live scenario.

Retrofitting older switchgear can be straightforward if the cabinet matches the CGM.3 mechanical layout, but highly customized or very old units may need field work. The biggest non-technical barrier is workplace procedure: companies must update lockout-tagout and switching orders to include remote operation steps so everyone on site understands the new roles.

How to buy it, get support, and try a demo

CBS ArcSafe says the RSK-CGM.3 is available to order through its sales channels and through authorized distributors that serve switchgear customers. Potential buyers should contact their local distributor or CBS ArcSafe’s regional office to request pricing, check fit for their exact CGM.3 model, and schedule a demonstration or trial install.

Customers can expect on-site support options for installation and initial training. For teams that want to test the kit, CBS ArcSafe and partners typically offer demo units or supervised field installs so operators can build confidence before rolling the kit into regular use.

Sources

• prnewswire.com