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 our answers are grounded in real-world experience, not just product catalogs.
Concerns from local refineries typically fall into four categories: safety, lead time, cost, and compliance. Refineries operate under extreme conditions—24/7 production, hazardous environments, and strict oversight from OSHA, insurance providers, and internal safety committees. That means their electrical systems must be tested, documented, and code-compliant—with zero room for error.
One of the most important factors is understanding what codes and standards apply to retrofitting. Many refineries mistakenly assume that NEC guidelines are sufficient, but NEC governs installation, not modification. When you’re changing the function or design of switchgear—like replacing breakers or upgrading relays—you must follow IEEE C37.59, NFPA 70E, and work with NRTL-verified partners like UL or Intertek. That’s where Spike Electric’s manufacturer-grade support makes all the difference.
We’ve been upgrading and retrofitting medium voltage gear for over 20 years and have served almost every major refinery in the Texas Gulf Coast. We understand MOC requirements, turnaround schedules, permit control, and onsite safety expectations. Our ability to mobilize quickly, document thoroughly, and execute safely makes us the preferred partner for many EHS and electrical engineering teams.
Integrated questions — answered:
Can you retrofit gear while the plant stays online?
Yes. We specialize in hot work planning and phased conversions. Through pre-planning, we isolate sections, use temporary power systems, and work during scheduled outage windows. In most cases, at least part of the facility remains online while retrofits are executed.
How fast can you mobilize a team on-site?
Because we’re local to the Houston and Gulf Coast region, we can often deploy a field team within 24–48 hours for urgent support. For planned retrofits, we align with your MOC and turnaround schedules.
Are you UL certified to do these conversions?
Yes. We work directly with UL and Intertek (NRTL partners) and perform conversions under their verification and compliance frameworks. Spike Electric is a certified manufacturer—not just a field contractor—so we retain or restore your gear’s labeling and documentation.
What if we need documentation for insurance?
You’ll get everything you need, including updated one-lines, nameplates, relay settings, arc flash labels, and testing reports. Our packages are prepared with compliance, insurance, and third-party audits in mind.
How do I know the gear is safe after the upgrade?
Because we don’t just install—we test, verify, and certify. We perform mechanical checks, torque tests, functional relay testing, and confirm insulation resistance, phase alignment, and interlock operation. Final documents prove it. In addition, most projects will require third-party NETA acceptance testing to confirm all systems meet operational and safety standards prior to energization.
