Pushing Boundaries in Switchboard Safety: The arcSAFE Journey from Australia to Germany
Our team at CE Group has recently completed a major milestone in the ongoing development of our arcSAFE switchboard range—this time, taking innovation all the way from Australia to Germany.
What were we doing in Europe? Testing the limits of our arcSAFE stainless steel switchboard design and expanding its capabilities with rigorous high-powered testing to confirm resilience and performance at the highest levels.
A Journey that started long before the flight
Before boarding planes and shipping crates overseas, our arcSAFE 2.0 journey began in Melbourne in October last year. At the TÜV Rheinland Facility, our team carried out preliminary testing to validate the switchboard’s performance under simulated real-world electrical fault conditions.
From there, with a successful outcome in hand, we prepared to take arcSAFE to the global stage for KEMA testing in Germany—an exercise that required significant investment, logistics coordination, and nerves of steel.
Why all this matters
Our latest arcSAFE switchboard stands tall—literally and figuratively—rated at 3200A and built to withstand a whopping 66kA at 690VAC. With an IP56 rating and a stainless steel 316 assembly, this new unit is designed to offer arc fault containment under the most demanding conditions.
Arc fault containment is a critical yet often optional safety feature in Australian electrical assemblies. But at CE Group, we see it as essential. An arcing fault releases tremendous energy as heat, pressure, and light—posing serious risks to personnel, equipment, and the broader community. For infrastructure that can’t afford to fail, this protection is non-negotiable.
Behind the scenes: The testing
At the KEMA lab in Germany, our team conducted five high-powered tests:
Two short circuit withstand strength tests at 66kA, 690VAC
Three arc fault containment tests at the same fault level and voltage
These tests were conducted with varying levels of engineering controls in place. The aim? To determine what protective measures deliver full containment and which scenarios lead to critical failure.
For our clients, this isn’t just technical detail. It’s reassurance. Knowing that your switchboard has been tested to failure—and refined to prevent it—means reduced risk, increased safety, and stronger compliance across sectors like mining, water infrastructure, energy, and industrial manufacturing.
Lessons from the Lab
Not every test resulted in a pass—but every test delivered something more important: insight.
One arc fault containment test, while technically not a pass under standard criteria, provided invaluable data on the effectiveness of specific design measures. These learnings will directly inform future arcSAFE refinements and testing protocols, ensuring we strike the perfect balance between necessary engineering and cost-effective design.
Reflecting on our arcSAFE evolution
Our first arcSAFE switchboards are already in the field, with recent installations at Cannery Creek and Burpengary East STP. Those units, under the arcSAFE 1.0 banner, carry a 36kA arc fault rating, IP65 weatherproof protection, and one-second withstand strength—proof of our commitment to raising the bar in switchboard safety.
With arcSAFE 2.0, we’ve taken that commitment to new heights.
What this means for you
This new testing milestone allows us to broaden the arcSAFE offering, delivering solutions tailored for high-current, high-fault environments. We’re currently working in the energy and renewables space, delivering eight ACB and four BESS-compliant switchboards under arcSAFE 1.0.
But with the newly tested 66kA capability, our reach now extends even further—offering viable, compliant, and safer solutions across mining, water infrastructure, food and beverage, and other industries with critical infrastructure needs.
We’re also investing in client education—so you can understand what arcSAFE means for your projects, your teams, and your communities.
Looking ahead
As a leader in complex electrical solutions, CE Group remains focused on delivering innovation, compliance, and above all—safety. The arcSAFE journey continues, and we’re excited to share more as we develop smarter, safer systems to support Australia’s most vital industries.
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