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Improving electrical safety by design

Learn about how our products, solutions, and services can help address various challenges at your facility.

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Proactively address arc-flash hazards

Remote operation

Reduce arc-flash incident energy

Reduce arc-flash incident energy

Greater measures for reducing incident energy are needed to address the arc-flash safety hazard situation present in many existing installed substations. SIEBREAK-VCB with the operation and maintenance arc-flash reduction system (OMARS) allows for reduction in arc-flash incident energy and reduces the amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) needed to perform routine maintenance. In this video, learn how the innovative features of SIEBREAK-VCB provide flexible solutions and a high level of medium-voltage circuit protection. 

Reduce arc-flash incident energy

Protect against arc-flash exposure

Safety is key when dealing with arc flash. Remote technology can help protect personnel from these dangerous electrical events. Siemens integrated electrical-racking system (SIERS) provides operators additional personnel protection against arc-flash exposure by delivering a safe, easy-to-use, cost effective, reliable, and flexible way to remotely operate equipment while standing outside of the arc zone. Learn more about SIERS safety features and control options in this flyer.

Remote monitoring for arc-flash safety

Remote monitoring for arc-flash safety

When performing normal circuit breaker operations, enabling personnel to work outside the arc-flash boundary can be an essential safety measure. Sm@rtGear is infused with medium-voltage GM-SG non-arc-resistant or GM-SG-AR arc-resistant switchgear to offer remote monitoring and control of switchgear functions. Continuous monitoring allows for usage-based preventative and predictive maintenance information that was previously monitored only once a year with an infrared scan. View this video to learn more about how safety is a driving factor for Sm@rtGear. 

Mobile App to support arc-flash safety

Mobile App to support arc-flash safety

Although exposure to energized equipment is a reality, effective prevention means removing the need for exposure in the first place. Sm@rtGear Mobile removes workers from the arc-flash hazard zone by enabling remote execution of potentially dangerous procedures. In this white paper, learn how Sm@rtGear Mobile promotes safety and ensures consistent monitoring through a dashboard driven interface that delivers real-time data to maintenance personnel and engineers on their mobile devices. 

Helping protect personnel from arcing events

Arc-resistant design

Arc-resistant gas-insulated switchgear

Arc-resistant gas-insulated switchgear

Medium-voltage, gas-insulated switchgear offers a number of key advantages over air-insulated switchgear with its inherently arc-resistant design topping the list. Gas-insulated switchgear significantly reduces the amount of PPE required because everything is self-contained with no chance of flash over or blowback. In this video, learn more about how gas-insulated switchgear increases personnel safety and provides the added benefits of increased reliability, a small footprint, and reduced maintenance. 

Venting exhaust gases from equipment

Venting exhaust gases from equipment

Ensuring appropriate actions are taken to protect personnel from the metal-oxides that result from internal arcing in electrical equipment is crucial. It is strongly recommended that these hazardous gases be exhausted into an area in which personnel are not present or to the outside environment. Learn more about venting exhaust gases from arc-resistant equipment and the conditions that must be observed to allow for indoor placement of the plenum exhaust system. 

Arc-resistant tested circuit breakers

Arc-resistant tested circuit breakers

With increased safety regulations, it is important to choose equipment that has been fully tested and meets or exceeds the latest ANSI, IEEE, and NEMA standards. The SDV7 family now includes outdoor distribution medium-voltage circuit breakers that are tested to ANSI/IEEE C37.20.7 requirements for accessibility type 2B. In this video, learn about these SDV7 options with arc-resistant construction in addition to the option for a magnetic-actuator operator as an alternate to the standard stored-energy operator. 

Arc-resistant outdoor circuit breakers

Arc-resistant outdoor circuit breakers

Why should utility distribution firms specify arc-resistant outdoor distribution circuit breakers? The answer is simple - safety of personnel. Arc-resistant construction of electrical equipment offers personnel extra protection from the hazards of arcing events inside equipment. Learn more about arc-resistant additions to the SDV7 family and how regulation compliance is driving the utility industry's shift to arc-resistant equipment.

Preventative measures to your approach

Technology to help mitigate wildfires

Minimizing wildfire risk

Minimizing wildfire risk

More people and new homes mean more power lines, substations, transformers, and other electrical infrastructure crossing through lands that are subject to wildfire risks. Heightened risk awareness, prevention, and mitigation are becoming increasingly important to ensure human safety and to reduce loss of property and forest acreage. On extreme risk wildfire days, it is critical to eliminate any probability of faults on the electrical network igniting a fire. Learn about cost-effective solution to reduce electrical arc hazards, enable remote access, and provide protection for manual switching activities. 

Preparation for wildfire prevention

Preparation for wildfire prevention

In recent years, wildfires have increased in both frequency and ferocity. The need to develop comprehensive wildfire mitigation strategies is more urgent than ever. All stakeholders must come together to identify and codify wildfire risk factors, and to formalize best practices for prevention and abatement. This white paper discusses how to evaluate wildfire risks posed by utility electrical systems, variables that influence wildfire mitigation priorities and investments, and new technologies that help mitigate wildfire risk. 

Collaborative approach to wildfires

Collaborative approach to wildfires

Due to population growth, damaged infrastructure, poor maintenance, and rising temperatures, wildfires are becoming more frequent, covering larger areas, and causing more damage. This increased threat of wildfires calls for a collaborative approach to develop short-term tactics and long-term strategies for mitigation. In this infographic, learn who the key stakeholders are, what their role in wildfire mitigation is, and how Siemens technology solutions are a critical component of this joint effort.

Fusesaver reduces the risk of a spark

Fusesaver reduces the risk of a spark

With just a spark from an electrical arc, a wildfire can be ignited. A reliable and cost-effective solution is essential to mitigating this potentially devastating risk. With a unique fault clearing time of less than one cycle, Fusesaver greatly reduces the probability of an electric arc igniting a fire. In this video, learn about the advantages Fusesaver offers over traditional fuses, including easy installation, compact design, peer-to-peer communication, and remote operation. 

Regulatory compliance and other factors

Mitigating arc flash

Arc-fault mitigation in unit substations

Arc-fault mitigation in unit substations

Reducing the incident energy resulting from an internal arcing event in the low-voltage side of a unit substation presents a number of difficulties. The preferred approach to reducing incident energy is to reduce the time needed to remove the fault. Learn about the advantages of using a primary circuit breaker in unit substations in place of the traditional medium-voltage fused switch, and compare the approximate levels of incident energy in various scenarios. 

Mitigation of arc-flash incident energy

Mitigation of arc-flash incident energy

Increased awareness of electrical safety has resulted in growing concern over the issue of arc-flash incident energy. While engineers have begun to specify limits for incident energy in their equipment purchase specifications, there are a number of critical factors that switchgear manufacturers have no control of. Learn about the challenges of limiting arc-flash incident energy to a fixed value situation and how to responsibly measure and mitigate the risk. 

Arc-flash hazard analysis

Arc-flash hazard analysis

An arc-flash hazard analysis is required per NFPA 70E® Article 130.1 and determines the potential energy that personnel could be exposed to at specific points in an electrical system. This assures that workers are properly protected whenever they work on or near equipment that is not in an "electrically safe condition." Visit the Siemens arc-flash hazard analysis webpage to learn about arc-flash events, the key elements of an arc-flash hazard analysis, and what is needed to have an analysis done at your facility. 

Modernize your equipment with a retrofit

Solutions for existing equipment

Low-voltage retrofit circuit breakers

Low-voltage retrofit circuit breakers

Understanding new technology is an important step in upgrading your existing equipment. Siemens low-voltage retrofit circuit breakers have direct rack technology that provides a connection directly to the bus utilizing the Siemens WL operator technology. They also offer safety features, such as the visible, ready-to-close indicator and customizable interlocking and mechanical trip indication. This 3D product video highlights and provides detailed visuals of the features offered in Siemens low-voltage retrofit circuit breakers. 

Low-voltage replacement circuit breakers

Low-voltage replacement circuit breakers

Minimizing downtime is always top of mind when upgrading equipment. Low-voltage replacement circuit breakers provide a cost-effective way to upgrade to current technology while increasing equipment reliability and minimizing downtime. Not only are they reliable and easy-to-use, they also offer a modular and flexible design with customizable safety features. In this flyer, learn about the benefits of working with Siemens and why upgrading to replacement circuit breakers is a smart move. 

Medium-voltage vacuum roll-in replacement circuit breakers

Medium-voltage vacuum roll-in replacement circuit breakers

No matter who manufactured your original air-magnetic switchgear, Siemens can assist you in evaluating the vacuum replacement, retrofit, or retrofill option that best meets your needs. Vacuum roll-in replacement circuit breakers provide a cost-effective way to upgrade your system capabilities while saving you from costly maintenance and lost productivity. Visit this product webpage to learn more about the benefits of vacuum roll-in replacement circuit breakers and the extensive experience Siemens has in this area. 

Medium-voltage generator circuit breaker upgrade solutions

Medium-voltage generator circuit breaker upgrade solutions

Custom engineered to replace aging airblast and SF6 equipment, Siemens offers the highest rated vacuum solutions available for generator circuit breaker applications. Add functionality while increasing reliability and safety with Siemens turnkey solutions that are engineered as a direct replacement and fit for existing equipment to eliminate the need for cubicle modifications, costly bus and switchgear modifications, as well as additional infrastructure modifications generally required with replacing a system with all new gear.  Learn more about replacement vacuum generator circuit breakers by watching this 3D product video.

Protect personnel and increase productivity

Operator Safety

PPE requirements for metal-clad switchgear

PPE requirements for metal-clad switchgear

Electrical practitioners know the need for appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential component for operator safety. The 2009 and 2012 editions of NFPA 70E® recognize reduced PPE requirements for certain operations involving arc-resistant switchgear. In this white paper, learn more about the conditions required for reduced PPE and examine some of the operations for which NFPA 70E recognizes a lower PPE level for arc-resistant, metal-clad switchgear. 

SmartGear technology promotes operator safety

SmartGear technology promotes operator safety

Delivering reliable power around the clock stresses the power infrastructure by running critical loads continuously. The ability to safely control, analyze, and diagnose a power system remotely are key advantages of Siemens Sm@rtGear. When an operator is removed from in front of the equipment, the risk of arc-flash is mitigated. In this video, learn how Sm@rtGear™ power distribution products provide an intelligent, safer, and more secure power supply allowing for reliable operation 24 hours a day. 

Effectively reduce arc-flash hazards using smart technology

Solutions for minimizing the risk of electrical arc

Increase safety and reliability with Sm@rtGear

Increase safety and reliability with Sm@rtGear

Delivering reliable power 24/7 stresses the power infrastructure by running critical loads around the clock. The Siemens Sm@rtGear™ power distribution system minimizes arc-flash risks by operating equipment remotely, and the smart technology minimizes downtime by predicting condition-based maintenance before it is required. In this video, learn how Siemens Sm@rtGear power distribution products provide an intelligent, safer, and more secure power supply to keep your operation running 24 hours a day. 

Reduce arc-flash risk with proactive solutions

Reduce arc-flash risk with proactive solutions

A key component of employee safety is removing the operator from in front of the equipment whenever possible. Siemens Sm@rtGear is infused with GM-SG to give operators the ability to remotely control the circuit breaker opening and closing and remotely rack the circuit breakers. Continuous online monitoring of temperature, partial discharge, and humidity allows for preventative maintenance versus an emergency outage. View this video to learn more about how safety is the driving factor for Sm@rtGear. 

Mobile technology promotes arc-flash safety

Mobile technology promotes arc-flash safety

Exposure to energized equipment is a reality, and the best approach to preventing arc-flash injury is remote operation and monitoring. Sm@rtGear Mobile App promotes safety and ensures consistent monitoring through a dashboard driven interface that delivers real-time data to maintenance personnel and engineers on their mobile devices. In this white paper, learn how Sm@rtGear Mobile removes workers from harm’s way through visualization of voltage, current, power, operating conditions, and tripping event diagnostics. 

Reduce arc-flash incident energy

Reduce arc-flash incident energy

Greater measures for reducing incident energy are needed to address the arc-flash safety hazard situation present in many existing installed substations. SIEBREAK-VCB with OMARS (operation and maintenance arc-flash reduction system) allows for reduction in arc-flash incident energy and reduces the amount of PPE needed to perform routine maintenance. In this video, learn how the innovative features of SIEBREAK-VCB provide flexible solutions and a high level of medium-voltage circuit protection. 

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