Automation equipment in a food, beverage or pharmaceutical facility may operate in a dry control room, beside a packaging line or in an area exposed to frequent cleaning. Those locations can require very different product specifications.
This guide explains the difference between ingress protection, cleaning resistance, hygienic installation and product-contact suitability.
Three Different Questions Behind “Food Grade”
First, does the component resist the cleaning exposure? Second, is its shape and installed arrangement appropriate for the required hygiene regime? Third, are any product-contact materials documented for the intended use? These are related questions, but they are not interchangeable.
An ingress rating does not answer all three. A housing may resist water entry while its seals or exposed surfaces need separate assessment for cleaning chemicals. A product-contact component also needs the specified material and process-connection documentation.
Why the Whole Assembly Matters
A sensor, its connector and its cable form an installed assembly. Protection claimed for the sensor body does not automatically establish the same protection at every connection. Mounting and the surrounding arrangement also affect exposure and access for cleaning.
It helps to divide a machine into exposure zones: protected controls, components exposed to cleaning and parts touching the product. A standard operator interface may belong in a protected control arrangement, while equipment close to the product requires different checks. This avoids treating the entire facility as one uniform environment.
Example: A Screen Outside the Washdown Zone
An operator screen may be mounted in a protected control station while sensors beside the production line face routine cleaning. Both serve the same process, but they need different exposure assessments. The listed HMI below is an example of an operator-interface component to assess for a suitably protected arrangement; it is not presented as a washdown-approved product.
Identify the Installation Location
Start by describing what the equipment operates and where it will be installed. A drive inside a protected panel is assessed differently from a sensor mounted near an open product stream.
- Is the location dry, damp or routinely washed down?
- Will the equipment contact the product or a process fluid?
- Is it exposed to splashes, steam, condensation or cleaning chemicals?
- Does the project specify particular materials, approvals or documentation?
For a replacement, send the complete existing model number and clear label photographs. Include the machine manufacturer’s specification where available.
Washdown and Hygienic Suitability Are Different Checks
An IP rating describes ingress protection under defined test conditions. It does not by itself establish hygienic design, resistance to cleaning chemicals or approval for product contact.
A product-contact component may need documented material suitability and a specified process connection. An externally mounted component may still need a cleanable design and resistance to the actual cleaning regime. Confirm each requirement for the exact ordered model.
Do not treat a stainless-steel housing as proof of suitability. The complete assembly, including seals, connectors and exposed surfaces, needs assessment.
Describe the Cleaning Regime
Provide the cleaning chemicals, concentrations, temperatures and exposure conditions where relevant. Include whether cleaning involves spray, high-pressure jets or another method, and how frequently it occurs.
For equipment exposed to process cleaning, share the supplied cleaning specification. Compatibility should be established from the manufacturer’s documentation and the project requirements rather than guessed from a material name.
Connectors, cables and mounting accessories also need to match the environment. A rating for one component does not automatically apply to the complete installed assembly.
Control Panels, Drives and Operator Screens
Determine which components will be protected inside an enclosure and which surfaces remain exposed. Share panel drawings, available space, cooling requirements and the intended installation location.
For an HMI, specify the PLC model, required communication protocol and operator functions. If replacing an existing screen, confirm whether the original project files and software are available.
For a drive enquiry, provide the motor nameplate, incoming supply and load details. Explain whether the motor operates a conveyor, mixer, fan or pump, and include its required speed range and operating duty.
Sensors and Process Measurement
Describe what needs to be detected or measured, the required range and the signal expected by the existing controller. Send the full code of an existing sensor or instrument if this is a replacement.
For fluid or product-contact measurement, include the medium, temperature, pressure and specified wetted materials where applicable. Share process-connection drawings and any mandatory documentation.
A sensor that fits the mounting position may still have a different output, measuring range or material specification. Mechanical fit alone does not confirm a suitable replacement.
Pharmaceutical Project Requirements
Provide the project’s written equipment and documentation requirements. These may concern materials, calibration, traceability, software functions or validation support, depending on the application.
Supplying a component does not establish that the complete process is compliant or validated. Confirm the responsibilities and deliverables with the responsible project team before a quotation is finalised.
A Practical Planning Checklist
- Process or machine description and the task to be performed.
- Whether this is a replacement, upgrade or new installation.
- Complete existing equipment codes and label photographs.
- Installation location and whether equipment contacts the product.
- Cleaning chemicals, concentration, temperature and cleaning method.
- Relevant supply, motor, signal and communication details.
- Required materials, standards, approvals and documentation.
- Drawings or project specifications, quantity, destination and required date.
If you are unsure where to begin, send the existing equipment label and describe where it is installed and how that area is cleaned.
Technical Note: This guide provides general enquiry information. Hygienic suitability, chemical compatibility and process compliance require verification against the exact product and application. Installation, programming and commissioning are included only where expressly quoted.
Relevant Catalogue Examples
View the Slanvert ST100E HMI listing, or email info@softcoregroup.co.za with your requirements.
Technical Resources
Visit our Technical Resources & Manuals page for documentation and guidance on requesting information for the exact model.