Spike Electric’s Most Recent Posts

Not all switchgear quotes are created equal. In fact, most quotes you’ll get from general contractors or service firms leave out critical elements—engineering design, testing, certification, and long-term reliability. That can lead to major cost overruns, delayed...

Every week, we hear from refinery engineers, maintenance leads, and procurement teams who are trying to solve tough switchgear issues—and they all ask the right questions. These facilities can’t afford failure, downtime, or liability, and neither can we. That’s why...

Many industrial facilities operate with switchgear that was installed 20, 30, or even 40 years ago—gear that may have been safe and compliant when installed but no longer meets today’s safety standards. While these systems may still function, aging equipment combined...

Modern breakers are built for new technologies, updated safety standards, and faster response times—but that means they often don’t fit into older switchgear lineups. That’s where compartment adapters—also known as breaker compartments, breaker cradles, breaker...

Retrofitting switchgear is a cost-effective way to modernize outdated systems without ripping out and replacing entire electrical lineups. But how do you know when a retrofit is the right move—and what’s at stake if you get it wrong? Switchgear retrofits reuse key...

When it comes to electrical infrastructure, reliability, safety, and compliance are paramount. Organizations across industries rely heavily on switchgear systems to distribute and control electrical power safely and efficiently. However, as infrastructure ages,...

Understanding Why IEEE C37.59-2018 Treats Design Testing as Non-Negotiable When it comes to electrical infrastructure upgrades, cutting corners is never worth the risk. This is especially true for switchgear conversions, where even minor miscalculations can lead to...

Modern electrical systems are expected to deliver safety, reliability, and performance even under evolving loads and aging infrastructure. Yet for many facilities, the backbone of their power distribution — the switchgear — is decades old. Replacing it outright is...

Lessons Learned from the Field and How to Do It Right the First Time In the realm of power distribution, switchgear conversions are a strategic approach to modernize aging infrastructure without the extensive costs and disruptions associated with complete...

How to Validate Performance, Compliance, and Safety the Right Way In the high-stakes world of electrical infrastructure, upgrading switchgear through conversion is only half the battle. The real test comes when it's time to energize. And the only way to ensure your...