In the food & beverage industry, where quality, safety, and hygiene are essential requirements, electrical enclosures play a critical role in ensuring operational continuity and compliance with food safety standards. Often installed in close proximity to production lines, preparation areas, handling systems, or packaging machines, they must guarantee maximum reliability, easy sanitation, and resistance to intensive washdown cycles.
In this context, the design of the electrical enclosure and the selection of materials are key to preventing contamination, supporting effective cleaning processes, and maintaining the integrity of both the enclosure surfaces and the electronic components inside.
Materials for electrical enclosures in the food industry: why stainless steel is the best choice
To be suitable for use in food-grade environments, electrical enclosures must meet specific criteria. They must:
- resist corrosion caused by high humidity;
- withstand aggressive detergents and disinfectants;
- ensure high IP protection ratings (IP55, IP66 or higher) to tolerate high-pressure water jets, including hot water;
- feature a compact, hygienic surface that is easy to clean and prevents dirt accumulation.
For these reasons, the industry standard recommends stainless steel, particularly AISI 304 and AISI 316.
Thermal management in Food & Beverage electrical enclosures
Temperature control is also an essential aspect: heat generated by electronic components, combined with humid environments and frequent washdown cycles, can compromise the enclosure’s reliability and lifespan.
It is therefore crucial to select cooling systems designed specifically for wet, washdown-intensive environments, capable of ensuring stable thermal conditions and long-term performance.
Fandis offers a complete range of products developed to guarantee hygiene, durability, safety, and operational continuity in food processing environments.
Stainless steel cooling units – CCU Series
The CCU stainless steel wall-mounted cooling units are engineered to withstand the most demanding conditions in the food & beverage industry.
Key advantages include:
- fully stainless steel structure for maximum robustness;
- machine-applied silicone gasket, eliminating manual positioning errors and ensuring stable IP protection over time;
- excellent resistance to high-pressure washdowns and aggressive cleaning agents;
- simplified installation and reliable continuous operation.
They are ideal for production lines, cleanrooms, wet processing areas, and packaging zones.
Stainless steel thermoelectric units – TCU Series
The TCU thermoelectric units, built entirely from stainless steel, are the ideal solution for cooling small electrical enclosures or decentralized equipment.
Main features:
- exceptional resistance to corrosion and sanitation procedures;
- no refrigerant gases;
- silent and highly reliable operation;
- suitable for compact machinery and sensitive workstations.
Protective hoods – MRH Series (IP56 / UL Type 4 and 4X)
When combined with Fandis FF filter fans and filters, the MRH protective hoods enhance the enclosure’s protection level up to IP56 / UL Type 4 and 4X, making it suitable for the most intensive washdown procedures.
They are available in AISI 304 stainless steel, featuring FDA-compliant gaskets, ideal for hygienically sensitive food environments.
Additionally, MRH hoods are certified UL Recognized Component (cURus) and UL Listed (cULus), confirming their suitability for applications requiring international safety standards and severe operating conditions.
With Fandis solutions, manufacturers and system integrators can rely on durable, compliant, and hygienically safe products, ensuring protection, efficiency, and uninterrupted production in the food & beverage sector.
Discover all Fandis solutions for the Food & Beverage industry on our website or contact our technical team for personalized support.