Commercial food equipment operates in very demanding environments. Machinery can be exposed to food debris, moisture, and grease throughout service, with cleaning chemicals sanitising it daily. Electrical components have to be protected from these conditions. This is where IP ratings become important.
You may have seen ratings such as IP65 or IP66 listed on commercial food equipment, motors, switches, sensors or control panels. An IP rating describes the level of protection an enclosure provides against water and other contaminants. The system is defined by IEC 60529, the international standard for degrees of protection provided by enclosures.
Understanding these ratings can help businesses choose equipment that is suitable for the environment in which it will be operated and cleaned.
What Is an IP Rating?
IP stands for Ingress Protection. Ingress is the act of entering something, which, in this case, outlines moisture and contaminants entering the electrical components.
An IP rating normally contains two numbers. Each number describes a different type of protection. The first number relates to protection against access to hazardous parts and the ingress of solid foreign objects, while the second number relates to protection against harmful water ingress.
This means that IP ratings are not simply a measurement of how "waterproof" a machine is. It describes a specific level of tested enclosure protection.
There are two very common IP ratings seen across commercial food processing: IP65 and IP66.
What Does IP65 Mean?
Let's break down what an IP65 rating consists of.
The first 6 means that the enclosure is dust-tight. The second 5 means that it is protected against water jets.
This means that a machine or component with an IP65 rating is suitable for electrical components operating in environments where they may experience moisture, splashing, or water spray. This could include usage within a food preparation area where regular cleaning creates a wet environment.
However, businesses should not assume that IP65 means a component can be subjected to any type of cleaning. The rating relates to standardised test conditions, and the manufacturer's cleaning instructions still need to be followed.
What Does IP66 Mean?
IP66 also provides dust-tight protection, but the second 6 indicates a higher level of protection against water jets than IP65.
IP66-rated equipment is designed to withstand powerful water jets from different directions under the relevant test conditions. This can be useful in commercial environments where electrical components are exposed to more demanding cleaning conditions, or if equipment is operating in wet food-processing environments where regular water spray is unavoidable.
However, IP66 should not automatically be interpreted as suitable for high-pressure, high-temperature, or chemical wash-down. Equipment with an IP66 rating also shouldn't be considered the better choice at all times. You should always consider your business environment and choose a rating that best suits your workspace.
What Does Water Resistance Actually Mean?
One of the most common mistakes when interpreting IP ratings is treating them as a general guarantee that equipment is "waterproof". An IP rating is more specific than this.
It tells you how an enclosure performed under particular test conditions. It does not mean that the equipment can be exposed to water indefinitely or that it will withstand every possible cleaning method.
The conditions surrounding the equipment matter. For example, businesses should consider:
- Water pressure.
- Water temperature.
- Spray direction.
- Duration of exposure.
- Cleaning chemicals.
- Condition of seals and covers.
- How frequently the equipment is washed.
An enclosure can have a suitable IP rating and still be damaged if it is used outside the conditions specified by the manufacturer.
Why Do IP Ratings Matter in Food Processing?
The main purpose of an IP rating is to help protect electrical components from environmental conditions. Water entering electrical equipment can cause component failure, corrosion, and other problems. In a busy food-processing environment, an electrical fault can also result in significant production disruption.
Choosing components with appropriate protection can therefore help equipment cope with the environment in which it operates, especially if it is regularly cleaned with water. For example, sensors, switches, motors and control components may all need protection from moisture. Food-industry equipment manufacturers specifically offer components designed for wet environments.
How To Choose the Correct IP Rating
There isn't one IP rating that is suitable for every commercial food business. You must consider the work environment before choosing equipment.
Consider how wet the environment is
A machine operating in a dry storage area will have very different requirements from one operating next to a sink or in a meat-processing area that is regularly washed down. Consider how much water the equipment will actually encounter and, therefore, how much protection it requires.
Consider how the equipment is cleaned
A machine that is wiped with a damp cloth is exposed to very different conditions from one that is regularly hosed down. If pressure washing or steam cleaning is used, the equipment must be specifically suitable for those conditions.
Consider cleaning chemicals
IP ratings concern ingress protection. They do not automatically mean that the materials, seals or finishes used on equipment are resistant to every cleaning chemical. Where strong detergents or sanitising chemicals are used, check the manufacturer's compatibility information as well.
Consider every electrical component
Don't only look at the rating of the main machine. A machine can contain components with different IP ratings, so it is important to understand which part of the equipment a particular rating applies to. Check the relevant components, including:
- Motors.
- Sensors.
- Switches.
- Connectors.
- Control panels.
- Junction boxes.
- Cables.
Protect Your Equipment With the Right Specification
IP ratings provide a useful way of understanding how electrical components are protected from dust and water. However, an IP rating should never be considered in isolation.
Businesses should consider how their equipment is used, how it is cleaned, which chemicals are involved, and whether it is exposed to high-pressure or high-temperature wash-down. Choosing the right specification from the beginning can help protect electrical components, reduce avoidable breakdowns, and ensure that equipment is suited to the environment in which it operates.
For demanding food-processing environments, selecting equipment designed specifically for wash-down conditions can make a significant difference to long-term reliability and maintenance.