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Gibbons Engineering Group has published guidance on choosing electric motors for food manufacturing and other environments where equipment is exposed to frequent washdown. The article explains how ingress protection ratings fit into the wider specification, alongside materials, cleaning methods and installation details.
Understanding ingress protection
An IP rating describes the enclosure’s protection against the entry of solid particles and water. The first digit concerns solids, while the second concerns water exposure. Gibbons distinguishes dust-protected construction from dust-tight construction and explains that water protection can relate to splashes, jets or other defined test conditions.
The company emphasises that different water exposure tests address different conditions. A motor must therefore be matched to the actual cleaning process and the manufacturer’s declared specification, rather than selected simply by treating one number as suitable for every environment.
Conditions in food and beverage production
Moisture, food debris, cleaning chemicals and repeated washdown can all affect motor selection. Inadequate protection can allow contaminants into an enclosure, contributing to corrosion, electrical problems, bearing deterioration and unplanned production downtime.
Gibbons notes that protection suitable for a general industrial installation may be insufficient for intensive cleaning. The required specification depends on water pressure, temperature, chemical exposure, cleaning frequency and the motor’s installed position.
Construction and the complete installation
Stainless steel motors can offer corrosion resistance and surfaces suited to hygienic applications. Combined with an appropriate enclosure specification, suitable designs can support cleaning and reduce places where contaminants accumulate. Material choice and ingress protection need to be assessed together.
The article also draws attention to cable glands, connectors and terminal boxes. A suitable motor enclosure does not remove the need to check the other parts of the installation exposed to the same conditions.
Gibbons supplies industrial motors, including stainless steel options for demanding washdown duties. Its team can review the existing equipment and operating environment when customers are replacing a motor or specifying a new installation.
Source: Gibbons Engineering Group
For more information on IP Ratings Explained: Choosing the Right Motor for Washdown Environments talk to Gibbons Engineering Group Ltd