While every industry that needs cabling has its own unique set of demands, none is quite as rigorous as the food and beverage industry. Understandably, where products are being manufactured for human consumption, every element of production must conform to FDA, ECOLAB, or Hygienic Design to ensure consumer safety.
Choosing the right cable solution is therefore packed with challenges. JJ-LAPP stands out as a market leader, providing exceptional quality and durability that you can rely on. Before developing a superior offering for our customers in this industry, we thoroughly examined every potential challenge of running cabling through a food preparation site. We then dove into the creative process to design solutions that would meet and exceed the following requirements:
Resistant to aggressive cleaning agents
In the food and beverage industry, cleanliness and hygiene are paramount to preventing contamination and guaranteeing safety. As such, machinery and equipment, including cables, are regularly subjected to meticulous cleaning procedures, which can occupy up to 30% of the day. These often involve the use of aggressive cleaning agents, dry cleaning with brushes, high-pressure wet cleaning, the use of dry-ice blasting equipment, or the use of high temperature steam, all designed to effectively remove traces of food residue, microorganisms, and other potential contaminants. Cables that are not resistant to these cleaning agents may corrode, degrade, or suffer other forms of damage, leading to operational downtime of equipment or potential health hazards to the operators.
As a member of the Safe Food Factory, our cables are proven to withstand the substances typically used in the industry’s cleaning processes (e.g., alkalines, very hot water, cleaning agents, and disinfectants), thus ensuring equipment durability, safety, and, ultimately, longevity.
Resistant to bio-oils, fats, fruits, and lactic acids
In this industry, exposure to an array of bio-oils, fats, fruits and lactic acids is common. These substances are often corrosive or damaging to certain materials commonly used in cables, wires and glands. Bio-oil and fat, for instance, can compromise the integrity of traditional cabling, leading to degradation over time. Additionally, lactic acids and the acid present in fruit can react negatively with some materials, causing corrosion or malfunction. This could result in compromised safety, production downtime, and expensive replacements or repairs.
Temperature resistant
Temperature resistance is a crucial attribute for cables and wires used in the production of consumables. This is because these components often operate in environments with varying temperatures, from very cold storage areas to extremely hot production lines. Cables without adequate temperature resistance may become brittle in cold conditions or excessively soft in hot environments, leading to potential breakage or damage that could disrupt production.
Furthermore, in processes such as pasteurization and sterilization, where high temperatures are a prerequisite, cables and wires need to maintain their functionality and safety. Lapp has designed cables that offer high resistance to a wide range of temperatures, ensuring their durability and reliability regardless of the operating environment.
Waterproof
Understandably, cables and wires in food preparation areas must be waterproof for several reasons. Production in this sector frequently involves the extensive use of liquids, from primary ingredients to the cleaning and sanitizing agents employed in routine hygiene procedures. These substances can easily come into contact with cables, wires and glands, so it is vital that they are waterproof to prevent short circuits or electrical failures that could disrupt operations or pose a risk to life.
Moisture can also cause corrosion and degradation over time if unsuitable cables are used. A waterproof feature is essential in preventing any possibility of contamination from the cable to the food product.
Rust-free
Rust, or iron oxide, is a product of corrosion often triggered by prolonged exposure to moisture or specific chemicals, both of which are common in food preparation. Rust can severely compromise cable integrity, leading to possible breakage, failures, and an increased risk of contamination, unacceptable in an industry governed by the strictest hygiene and safety regulations. Additionally, rust can act as a conductor, potentially causing short circuits and other electrical issues.
Overall, the food and beverage industry present some of the most challenging requirements when it comes to the selection and use of cables. Factors such as exposure to aggressive cleaning agents, bio-oils, fats and acids, extreme fluctuations in temperature, and the necessity for waterproofing and rust prevention all contribute to the complex demands of this sector.
JJ-LAPP, with its commitment to quality and innovation, offers superior cable solutions designed to meet and surpass these unique requirements, delivering unrivalled durability, safety and reliability, and thus ensuring the seamless operation of your food and beverage production facilities.
For more information, please feel free to contact us at sales_jjls@jjsea.com or visit our e-shop