El Encuentro Prison Construction Project

In June 2024, the construction of El Encuentro Prison, a maximum-security facility located in Santa Elena, Ecuador, officially kicked off. This project, initiated by the Ecuadorian government to address gang-related security challenges, covers an area of 37 hectares and is designed to accommodate 800 high-risk inmates. As a key part of the country’s public security infrastructure upgrade, the project has extremely strict requirements for electrical systems—reliability, safety, and compliance with local regulations are non-negotiable. Our company, Dongguan GERITEL Electrical Co., Ltd., was honored to be selected as the exclusive wire supplier for this project, providing high-quality electrical wires including THHN power wire, MV-105 Cable, and Control Cables (Type TC-ER) to support the smooth construction and long-term safe operation of the prison.

1. The Urgency of Reliable Electrical Wiring for High-Security Prisons

El Encuentro Prison is a landmark project in Ecuador’s anti-gang campaign, modeled after El Salvador’s terrorism confinement center to ensure maximum security. The prison’s electrical system is the lifeline of its daily operations, powering everything from cell lighting, surveillance cameras, and access control systems to guard tower equipment and emergency backup systems. Any electrical failure or safety hazard could lead to serious security incidents, such as power outages that compromise surveillance or wiring tampering that endangers prison safety—risks the Ecuadorian government could not afford.

When the project’s construction team began sourcing electrical wires, they encountered several critical challenges that delayed the project progress. First, the prison’s high-security nature required wires that could withstand harsh conditions, resist tampering, and operate stably for long periods without maintenance. Second, Ecuador’s technical regulations (RTE INEN) require imported electrical products to meet strict compliance standards, and many suppliers failed to provide valid certification to prove their products meet local requirements. Third, the project required a variety of wire types and specifications, and most suppliers could only provide partial products, leading to complicated procurement processes and potential delays in delivery.

After extensive market research and strict screening, the construction team chose our company as their trusted partner. They recognized our strength in providing one-stop, certified, and high-quality wire solutions—exactly what they needed to overcome their procurement challenges.

2. Why Ordinary Wires Could Not Meet the Prison’s Requirements

Before cooperating with us, the project team faced three core pain points that ordinary wire suppliers could not solve. First, compliance issues: Many suppliers’ products lacked internationally recognized certifications such as UL, and could not meet Ecuador’s ARC certification requirements (a mandatory compliance certificate for electrical products in the country). Without these certifications, the wires could not pass customs inspection or meet the prison’s safety standards. Second, product quality and durability: Ordinary wires on the market have thin insulation layers, poor wear resistance, and low temperature resistance, which are prone to aging, short circuits, or even fire risks in the prison’s harsh environment. Third, insufficient product variety and customization capabilities: The prison required different wire types for different scenarios—from power transmission to control systems—and specific sizes to fit the facility’s conduit and tray installations. Most suppliers could not provide a complete product portfolio, forcing the team to cooperate with multiple suppliers, which increased procurement costs and delivery risks.

Additionally, the project had a tight construction schedule—scheduled to open in November 2025—and the construction team needed a supplier that could guarantee on-time delivery and provide professional technical support to avoid delays. This combination of strict requirements made it difficult for the team to find a suitable partner until they contacted our company.

3. Matching the Prison’s Needs with High-Quality Wires

After in-depth communication with the project team, we fully understood the prison’s electrical needs and designed a customized solution centered on three core wire products, each selected for its unique advantages that address the client’s pain points. All our products hold valid UL certifications, which are recognized by Ecuador’s INEN (National Institute of Standards) under the country’s technical regulations, ensuring smooth customs clearance and compliance with local safety standards.

The first key product is THHN power wire, and the THHN power wire for conduit use was specifically selected for the prison’s indoor power distribution system. Unlike ordinary PVC wires, THHN power wire features a thermoplastic PVC insulation layer and a nylon outer sheath, which makes it highly flexible, wear-resistant, and easy to thread through conduits—critical for the prison’s tight conduit installations. We provided THHN wires in multiple sizes to meet different power needs: 14 AWG and 12 AWG for lighting circuits in cells and corridors, 10 AWG for small power equipment, and 8 AWG to 4/0 AWG for main power feeders. Compared to other wires like XHHW, THHN power wire has a smaller outer diameter, allowing more wires to be installed in the same conduit, which reduces installation costs and improves efficiency. It also has a rated temperature of 90°C in dry environments, ensuring stable operation even in the prison’s high-temperature electrical cabinets.

THHN cable industrial wiring use

The second product is MV-105 Cable, a medium-voltage cable designed for the prison’s main power transmission system. We provided 15kV MV-105 cables with copper conductors, which are superior to aluminum conductors in conductivity, heat dissipation, and durability—essential for critical facilities where power outages are unacceptable. The MV-105 Cable features XLPE insulation, which has excellent electrical insulation performance and resistance to aging, ensuring stable power transmission from the external substation to the prison’s internal distribution system. Unlike ordinary medium-voltage cables, our MV-105 Cable meets UL 1063 standards and is designed to withstand short-circuit currents, reducing the risk of electrical failures that could compromise prison security. The 15kV rating was specifically chosen to match the prison’s 13.8kV power system, ensuring compatibility and safety.

The third product is Control Cables (Type TC-ER), used for the prison’s surveillance, access control, and emergency system wiring. Type TC-ER control cables are designed for exposed or tray-mounted installations, making them ideal for the prison’s guard towers, surveillance rooms, and perimeter security systems. We provided TC-ER cables with 18 AWG to 10 AWG conductors, featuring XLPE insulation and a flame-retardant outer sheath that meets IEEE 1202/FT4 vertical tray flame test standards. Unlike Type TC cables, Type TC-ER cables can be installed in exposed locations without additional protection, reducing installation time and costs. They also have excellent resistance to UV radiation and oil, ensuring long-term reliability even in outdoor guard towers. The cables are color-coded for easy identification, simplifying installation and maintenance for the construction team.

4. UL Certification and Strict Quality Control

For high-security facilities like El Encuentro Prison, safety is the top priority—and our UL certification and strict quality control system are the foundation of our safety guarantee. All our wires are certified by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), a globally recognized certification body, and meet the requirements of Ecuador’s RTE INEN regulations. UL certification ensures that our products have passed rigorous testing for electrical safety, fire resistance, and durability, including tests for insulation resistance, voltage withstand, and flame retardancy.

In addition to UL certification, we also comply with Ecuador’s ARC certification requirements, providing the project team with all necessary technical documents and certification confirmations to ensure smooth customs clearance. Our manufacturing process follows strict quality control standards, from raw material selection to production, testing, and packaging. We use high-purity copper conductors and high-quality insulation materials to ensure consistent product performance. Before delivery, each batch of wires undergoes 100% testing, including resistance testing, insulation testing, and flame retardancy testing, to ensure no defective products reach the project site.

We also have extensive experience in supplying wires for high-security facilities, including prisons and military bases, which means we understand the unique safety requirements of such projects. Our technical team provided professional guidance to the project’s electrical engineers, helping them select the right wire sizes and installation methods to ensure maximum safety and efficiency.

5. On-Time, Efficient, and Professional

The El Encuentro Prison project had a tight construction schedule, with a deadline to open in November 2025. To ensure on-time delivery, we developed a detailed production and logistics plan. After confirming the order, we prioritized the production of the project’s wires, allocating dedicated production lines to avoid delays. We completed the production of all wires—including 50,000 meters of THHN power wire, 15,000 meters of MV-105 Cable, and 20,000 meters of Type TC-ER Control Cables—in just 45 days, ahead of the scheduled production time.

For logistics, we partnered with a professional international shipping company with extensive experience in exporting electrical products to Ecuador. We carefully packaged each batch of wires to prevent damage during transportation, and provided all necessary customs documents, including UL certification, ARC compliance confirmations, and product technical specifications. The wires were shipped from the port of Shenzhen to the port of Guayaquil, Ecuador, and arrived at the project site in 60 days—well within the project’s timeline. Our on-site technical team also accompanied the delivery to inspect the wires and provide installation guidance, ensuring the wires were installed correctly and efficiently.

6. Safe, Stable, and Compliant Operation

In November 2025, El Encuentro Prison officially opened, accepting 300 inmates from La Roca Prison, including high-profile prisoners. Our wires have been operating stably since the prison’s opening, providing reliable power for all electrical systems. The THHN power wire for conduit use has performed exceptionally well in the prison’s indoor distribution system, with no issues of wear or insulation damage despite frequent use. The MV-105 Cable has ensured stable main power transmission, with no power outages or short circuits, even during peak usage periods. The Type TC-ER Control Cables have maintained reliable communication between the prison’s surveillance and access control systems, contributing to the facility’s maximum security.

The project team confirmed that our wires fully met all their requirements: compliance with local regulations, high quality and durability, and on-time delivery. The use of our one-stop wire solution also reduced their procurement costs by 15% compared to cooperating with multiple suppliers, and shortened the installation time by 10% due to the compatibility and ease of installation of our products.

7. Cooperation Value and Client Feedback

Our cooperation with the El Encuentro Prison project went beyond simple product supply—we provided a comprehensive solution that addressed the client’s compliance, quality, and delivery needs. The client valued our professional technical support, reliable product quality, and efficient delivery, recognizing that our UL-certified wires provided long-term safety and stability for the prison’s critical electrical systems. They noted that our ability to provide a complete product portfolio eliminated the need to coordinate with multiple suppliers, simplifying the procurement process and reducing risks.

The project team also emphasized that our compliance with Ecuador’s regulations and UL certification was a key factor in their decision to choose us. In a market where many suppliers struggle to meet local certification requirements, our ability to provide valid certifications and technical documents ensured a smooth procurement and installation process, avoiding costly delays. They expressed their willingness to cooperate with us on future prison construction projects in Ecuador, recognizing our expertise in high-security facility wire solutions.

8. Choose Us for Your Next Electrical Wire Project in Ecuador

The success of the El Encuentro Prison project demonstrates our strength in providing reliable, compliant, and high-quality wire solutions for high-security facilities in Ecuador. Whether you are working on a prison, commercial building, industrial plant, or infrastructure project, we have the experience, certification, and product variety to meet your needs.

We specialize in exporting THHN power wire, MV-105 Cable,Type TC-ER Control Cables, and other electrical wires, all with UL certification and compliance with Ecuador’s RTE INEN and ARC requirements. Our one-stop solution includes product customization, strict quality control, on-time delivery, and professional technical support, ensuring that your project runs smoothly and safely.

Don’t let compliance issues, poor product quality, or delayed delivery derail your project. Contact us today to discuss your wire needs and get a customized quote. We are committed to providing you with the most reliable wire solutions, just as we did for the El Encuentro Prison project.