Prevent Water Issues Inside E-Stop Junction Boxes

E-Stop switchs reduce existing hazards to persons, damage to machinery or to work in progress.

In Food & Beverage Plants E-Stop switches in wash down zones must meet IP69 ratings, and in order to keep IP ratings, switches should be installed into an IP69 Rated Junction Box.

Many plant managers spend way too much time trying to keep water out from junction boxes installed in their hazardous zones.

Recently I put together an ABB Emergency stop and our (Rittal) HD Junction box to get an idea on how the 2 products might retain their IP69K rating.  An unofficial evaluation with water sprayed onto the unit.  Not a NEMA test of water sprayed from 10 -12 feet away, with high pressure or high temperature. By no means a scientific evaluation.

The results were not surprising “no water inside”.

E-Stop solutions with IP69K Rated Components keep water our.

Leaky E-Stops need to be replaced with an IP69k Hygienic wash-down rated box, with removable and replaceable FDA approved silicone gasket.

Shown below is Rittal's HD Junction Box with an IP69k button/switch, optional IP69k cable gland(s), IP69K stands, IP69k pressure relief valve to reduce condensation.

Rittal follows strick Hygienic Design Standards required in the food and beverage industry.  

Rittal supplies enclosures and accessories, as well as climate control components specifically developed for applications in areas where hygienic design is important.  

Rittal invites you to learn more at: Rittal.com