Guide to hygienic enclosures

12 February 2021

Rittal has published a whitepaper which considers the distinguishing characteristics of hygienic design enclosures and how they must align with current and relevant directives, regulations and guidelines.

Enclosures for switchgear and electrical equipment are vital across the manufacturing and engineering sectors, including food and beverage production.

An enclosure creates a protective environment for sensitive electrical components, while also protecting operatives from contact with the electrical circuitry.

The design of enclosures needs to take account of their location and for food production lines, this means ensuring that very high hygiene standards can be maintained.

Rittal has published a whitepaper which considers the distinguishing characteristics of hygienic design enclosures and how they must align with current and relevant directives, regulations and guidelines.

The hygiene regulations that govern food and beverage companies, and which are contained within EU directives, are necessarily stringent to protect public health. Any breaches can be hugely costly – in terms of product recalls, reputational damage and financial losses incurred while the problems are fixed.

However, while there is an obligation for hygiene standards to be met, the directives and standards that bind the industry do not advise users how to judge an enclosure’s suitability to be in such a sensitive environment. Without standardised and recognised guidance, enclosure manufacturers, the systems and mechanical engineers, as well as end users, must make their own decisions as to the type of hygienic design that should be employed.

The whitepaper can be downloaded from: https://info.rittal.co.uk/hygienic_design_whitepaper