Your Best Solution For Breaker Racking
Keep your operators, electricians and technicians well outside of arc flash boundaries with Xtend-A-Rack, a safe and efficient tool for racking circuit breakers. We’ve developed this tool as aligned with best practices from NFPA 70E and CSA Z462 workplace safety standards, making it a reliable choice for professionals engaging in electrical break-racking tasks.
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The Problem
We Solve
Those who rack circuit breakers face significant risks on the job. Breaker-racking solutions that work outside the arc flash boundary are often expensive and difficult to maintain. Xtend-A-Rack offers a portable, affordable, safe, and highly effective breaker racking solution.
Xtend-A-Rack Product Video
Key Features Of Xtend-A-Rack
Xtend-A-Rack is a unique racking solution. Finally, there’s a simple, cost-effective breaker rack solution for electrical maintenance operators and managers. Its features include:
Widely Compatible
This product is compatible with low-to-medium voltage electrical breakers from leading OEMs such as ABB, Eaton, General Electric, Powell, Schneider, and Siemens.
Easy to Use & Maintain
It delivers a quick-change coupling system and intuitive operation with minimal training. Plus, annual maintenance involves only regular visual inspection and cleaning.
Durable & Well Designed
Xtend-A-Rack is lightweight, durable, resilient to corrosion, and long-lasting.
Safety Standards Compliant
It is aligned with best practices in NFPA 70E and CSA Z462 electrical safety standards.
Portable & Extendable
Cost-Effective
There are two extension options for greater flexibility. With a convenient carrying case, it is ready to use right out of the box.
Offers the most reliable, cost-effective rack out breaker solution on the market.
Xtend-A-Rack Specifications
Tool Reach:
Xtend–A–Rack is an extendable circuit breaker racking tool that is available in either a 3-section or 4-section version.
Electrical Rating:
With an electrical rating of 100 kV/foot, Xtend-A-Rack provides insulation, ensuring maximum safety during operations.
Torque:
Xtend-A-Rack can apply up to 35 ft. lbs or 47 Nm of torque, making it suitable for a range of low to medium voltage circuit breakers.
What Is Racking
A Breaker?
Racking a circuit breaker involves physically connecting or disconnecting a circuit breaker from an electrical bus. The need to rack a breaker is part of regular electrical plant operations, breaker maintenance and repair programs.
The Xtend-A-Rack is designed to connect to your existing breaker racking mechanism without modification to the breaker or breaker enclosure. With the Xtend-A-Rack, breaker racking can be performed safely and with the confidence of a secure connection to the racking mechanism.
Racking A Breaker Can Be Dangerous
A life-threatening arc flash can occur when racking a breaker into or out from its bus connection. The significant risks to this type of work can arise suddenly due to:
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Unforeseen Physical Hazards
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Simple Human Error
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Equipment Maintenance Issues
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Work Safety Practice Issues
The innovative Xtend-A-Rack allows breakers to be racked outside the arc flash boundary. This minimizes the exposure to potential arc flash and other electrical hazards, ensuring a much safer work environment for operators.
What Is An Arc Flash?
An arc flash is a sudden release of electrical energy due to a short circuit or fault in equipment such as electrical breakers, switchgear, panels, and electrical cabinets that produces an intense explosion of heat, light, and pressure. Arc flashes can cause severe burns, injuries from flying debris, and even fatalities.
An arc flash can occur without warning. Racking an electrical breaker without proper precautions and electrical safety measures increases the risk of an arc flash incident.
Establishing An Electrical Safety Boundary
When racking a breaker, one of the most effective methods to mitigate an arc flash hazard is to perform the work outside of the arc flash boundary, as illustrated. As part of an effective electrical safety program, arc flash boundaries are often, but not always identified and prominently indicated on the face of breaker enclosures.
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What is the arc flash boundary for my breakers?It is important to know what the boundary of risk is for your electrical breakers. The arc flash boundary of your breakers should be determined by a qualified professional in compliance with NFPA 70E and CSA Z462 guidelines. Xtend-A-Rack was designed with this in mind. As a result, it comes with a 3 or 4 section extending shaft to move a worker 12 to 17 ft away from the arc flash hazard.
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What regions does your company serve?Xtend-A-Rack is available across Canada, the USA, and worldwide. Contact us for more details.
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What models of electrical breakers are supported?Xtend–A–Rack offers many standard couplings for all major types of breakers from leading OEMs including: ​ ABB ADVAC/AMVAC ABB ITE 5HK and KLIne ABB SACE/Emax Eaton Magnum DS/SB/MW Eaton VCP-W Eaton VCP-T Federal Pioneer H Series GE AK GE PowerVac GE WavePro Powell PowlVAC Powell Power/VAC Schneider MasterPact Siemens SION Schneider VR
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What differentiates Xtend-A-Rack from other products?Traditionally, the need for safely racking breakers has been met by products that are expensive and complicated. Too often, companies purchase these other products but don’t use them regularly. In some cases, personnel require additional training to use them and staff turnover becomes a problem in the ongoing use of the product. Some breaker racking products are cumbersome and complicated and, unfortunately, fall into disuse as a result. So while operator risk for arc flash incidents remains very high, and solutions are available, the workplace hazard remains. These considerations were part of the design and engineering of the Xtend-A-Rack solution. As a result, electrical safety operators now have a safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective racking solution.