Proven Component Integration
PowerClad can be configured with ABB vacuum circuit breakers, protective relays, and control technology—integrated into a Spike-engineered and manufactured switchgear platform.
PowerClad Air-Insulated Metal-Clad Switchgear (5–38 kV)
Dependable power. Safer operation. American-built execution.
PowerClad delivers reliable medium-voltage protection and control for industrial, utility, commercial, and mission-critical power systems. Its drawout vacuum circuit breaker design, grounded metal compartmentalization, insulated primary bus, and application-specific controls create a durable platform for new construction, expansions, and modernization projects.
Available in indoor and outdoor configurations, PowerClad is engineered around each project’s electrical ratings, protection scheme, footprint, environmental conditions, and service requirements. Optional arc-resistant construction and NRTL listing or labeling are available on qualifying configurations when specified.
PowerClad supports both new construction and the replacement of older air-break, minimum-oil, or SF6 switchgear — providing higher insulation levels in less space and reducing overall switchgear footprint for significant space savings.
Built for New Systems and Modernization
PowerClad supports new construction, capacity expansion, and the replacement of aging air-magnetic, minimum-oil, and legacy vacuum switchgear. Spike engineers coordinate the lineup with existing cables, bus, protection, controls, and available space to reduce project risk and simplify field integration.
Engineered, Inspected, and Tested Before Shipment
Reliability is designed into the full assembly—not added at the end. Each manufactured lineup receives documented production inspection and testing appropriate to its design before shipment.
- Primary- and control-circuit dielectric testing
- Mechanical operation, interlock, and racking checks
- Wiring, metering, protection, and functional verification
- Customer witness testing and project-specific FAT when specified
Configurable Around the Application
- Primary- and control-circuit dielectric testing
- Mechanical operation, interlock, and racking checks
- Wiring, metering, protection, and functional verification
- Customer witness testing and project-specific FAT when specified
Need Help Selecting the Right Metal-Clad Switchgear?
Spike engineers can help define the ratings, configuration, protection, enclosure, and qualification path for your project.
Available ABB Vacuum Circuit Breaker Integration
PowerClad can be configured with ABB drawout vacuum circuit breakers and protection relays, combining proven interruption technology with Spike-engineered metal-clad assemblies.
Key Benefits Include:
- Fast, reliable short-circuit interruption
- Drawout construction with connected, test, and disconnected positions
- Reduced routine interrupter maintenance
- Flexible relay, metering, and communications integration
- Project-specific spare breaker strategy
Specifications by Voltage Class
Select a voltage class for its ratings and spec sheet. Values below are per class; all four share the standards, breaker technology, and options listed in the shared sections.
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated maximum voltage | 4.76 kV |
| Lightning impulse withstand (BIL) | 60 kV peak |
| Power-frequency withstand (1 min) | 19 kV rms |
| Continuous current | Up to 4000 A |
| Short-circuit interrupting current | Up to 63 kA rms symmetrical |
| Short-time withstand current | Up to 63 kA rms symmetrical, 2 s |
Download Spec Sheet: PowerClad 5 kV Catalog (PDF)
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated maximum voltage | 15 kV |
| Lightning impulse withstand (BIL) | 95 kV peak |
| Power-frequency withstand (1 min) | 36 kV rms |
| Continuous current | Up to 4000 A |
| Short-circuit interrupting current | Up to 63 kA rms symmetrical |
| Short-time withstand current | Up to 63 kA rms symmetrical, 2 s |
Download Spec Sheet: PowerClad 15 kV Catalog (PDF)
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated maximum voltage | 27 kV |
| Lightning impulse withstand (BIL) | 125 kV peak |
| Power-frequency withstand (1 min) | 60 kV rms |
| Continuous current | Up to 3000 A |
| Short-circuit interrupting current | Up to 40 kA rms symmetrical |
| Short-time withstand current | Up to 40 kA rms symmetrical, 2 s |
Download Spec Sheet: PowerClad 27 kV Catalog (PDF)
| Rating | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated maximum voltage | 38 kV |
| Lightning impulse withstand (BIL) | 150 kV peak |
| Power-frequency withstand (1 min) | 80 kV rms |
| Continuous current | Up to 3000 A |
| Short-circuit interrupting current | Up to 40 kA rms symmetrical |
| Short-time withstand current | Up to 40 kA rms symmetrical, 2 s |
Download Spec Sheet: PowerClad 38 kV Catalog (PDF)
Built for Safer Operation—Engineered for Real-World Conditions
PowerClad uses grounded metal compartmentalization, insulated primary conductors, shutters, interlocks, and drawout breaker positions to support safer operation and maintenance. Optional features can further reduce exposure and improve response during abnormal conditions.
- Arc-resistant construction on qualified configurations
- Remote breaker racking and operation
- Arc-flash detection and high-speed protection
- Thermal and partial-discharge monitoring
- Pressure-relief or plenum systems matched to the qualified design
Industries Served
PowerClad is engineered for power systems where uptime, protection, and long-term serviceability matter.
- Utilities, substations, and grid interconnections
- Data centers and mission-critical facilities
- Oil, gas, petrochemical, and LNG facilities
- Water and wastewater infrastructure
- Mining, metals, and heavy industry
- Manufacturing and process plants
- Hospitals, airports, and large campuses
- Renewables, battery energy storage, and energy infrastructure
Spike engineers work directly with project teams to coordinate the lineup from application and configuration through manufacturing, testing, startup, and long-term support.
- Standards, Qualifications & Project Options
- Customizable Design Options
- Field Service & Lifecycle Support
PowerClad is engineered to applicable ANSI/IEEE requirements, with qualification and certification options matched to the exact configuration.
- Circuit breakers selected and tested to applicable IEEE C37.04 and IEEE C37.09 requirements
- Arc-resistant construction available only on configurations qualified to IEEE C37.20.7
- Optional NRTL listing or labeling available on qualifying configurations when specified
- Optional NRTL listing or labeling available on qualifying configurations when specified
- Project-specific seismic qualification available to the applicable code and site criteria
- Domestic-content review and supporting documentation available for qualifying projects
- System ratings, protection philosophy, and relay selection
- Indoor or outdoor construction and access arrangement
- Top or bottom cable entry, bus transitions, and retrofit interfaces
- Main, tie, feeder, metering, auxiliary, and automatic transfer sections
- Communications, remote operation, and condition monitoring
- Paint, finish, environmental, and project-documentation options
Spike supports the system from application review through startup and long-term service.
- Specification review, submittals, and coordination
- Customer witness testing and factory acceptance testing
- Installation support, startup, and commissioning
- Operator and maintenance training
- Spare parts, replacement breakers, inspection, and modernization
Indoor and Outdoor Configurations
PowerClad metal-clad switchgear is available in enclosure configurations designed for indoor electrical rooms or outdoor installations. The appropriate enclosure is selected based on the project environment, equipment arrangement, access requirements, and site conditions.
Type 1 — Indoor Configuration
Designed for installation inside electrical rooms, substations, industrial facilities, and other protected indoor environments. The enclosure helps prevent accidental contact with energized equipment and limits the entry of falling dirt.
Type 3R — Outdoor Configuration
Designed for outdoor installation with protection against rain, sleet, snow, and external ice formation. Outdoor lineups can be engineered for the project’s temperature, wind, corrosion, access, and structural requirements.
Spike Engineering will recommend the appropriate enclosure type and configuration based on the project information provided. As the manufacturer, Spike will prepare the final approval drawings; however, the customer, engineer of record, or authorized project representative is responsible for reviewing and approving the enclosure type, environmental conditions, layout, access requirements, and all project-specific application details before release to manufacturing.
Choose Spike Electric—Built for the Project, Not the Catalog
PowerClad combines a standardized, repeatable metal-clad platform with the engineering flexibility required for real-world power systems. Customers work directly with U.S.-based engineers who coordinate the electrical design, physical arrangement, controls, manufacturing, testing, and field support as one integrated solution.
- Direct access to engineers—not just sales representatives
- Controlled customization without sacrificing repeatability
- One accountable partner from design through service
Built Here. Ready for What’s Next.
U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing for critical power infrastructure.
PowerClad is engineered and manufactured through Spike’s U.S. operations for North American power-system requirements. Domestic-content review and supporting project documentation can be provided for qualifying configurations when required.
- U.S.-based engineering and manufacturing
- Shorter communication paths and faster technical decisions
- Supports local jobs and strengthens the U.S. manufacturing sector
- Strong control of quality, documentation, and change management
- Local startup, service, and lifecycle support
The Spike Advantage
- Faster engineering decisions
- Responsive project communication
- Direct access to technical teams
- A single source for engineering, manufacturing, testing, delivery, and service
- Configurations built around the application—not forced into a generic catalog box
Frequently Asked Questions
What is metal-clad switchgear?
Metal-clad switchgear is medium-voltage switchgear that uses drawout circuit breakers and grounded metal barriers to separate the breaker, main bus, cable terminations, and low-voltage control compartments. This compartmentalization supports safer operation, inspection, and maintenance.
How does metal-clad differ from metal-enclosed switchgear?
All metal-clad switchgear is metal-enclosed, but metal-clad construction adds defined compartmentalization, drawout circuit breakers, insulated primary conductors, shutters, interlocks, and grounded metal barriers under IEEE C37.20.2.
Can PowerClad be customized for specific applications?
Yes. Spike configures the ratings, lineup arrangement, protection, metering, communications, cable entry, bus transitions, enclosure, monitoring, and qualification options around the project.
What maintenance is required?
Maintenance depends on operating duty, environment, breaker model, and installed accessories. Spike provides project-specific manuals and can support inspection, testing, breaker service, spare parts, and modernization.
Is NRTL listing available?
Optional NRTL listing or labeling may be available for qualifying configurations when specified early in the project. The appropriate path depends on the design, production volume, applicable standard, and installation.