A bypass device for bypassing a power cell of a multi-cell device. The bypass device includes a stationary portion of a first set of contacts connected to at least first and second output terminals of a power cell, a magnetically latching solenoid that, when energized, moves a moving portion of the first set of contacts from a first position to a second position or from the second position to the first position, and at least one added insulating material positioned between the solenoid and the first set of contacts, and configured to allow a voltage between the magnetically latching solenoid and the first and second output terminals of the power cell to exceed a voltage between said output terminals.