ECOLAB®-certified cables and accessories for F&B industry

Few industries face hygiene challenges as rigorous and complex as the F&B sector. The frequent use of high-pressure water, aggressive cleaning agents, and disinfectants to maintain hygiene can damage electrical wiring and control cables used in this environment.

To avoid operational disruptions, manufacturers are required to use specialized industrial cable solutions that are specifically engineered to meet the industry's hygiene and safety standards.

1.1 Temperature resistance

The production environment in the F&B industry often experiences extreme temperature fluctuations - from hot water used for sterilizing equipment to cold storage areas for food preservation. Therefore, electrical cables used in this industry must be engineered to withstand harsh temperatures, ensuring long-term durability and stable performance.

>>See more: Temperature-resistant cables for harsh environment

1.2 Chemical resistance

Food processing equipment is regularly exposed to strong chemical-based cleaning agents to maintain hygiene standards. Over time, these chemicals can corrode control cables, leading to equipment failures. In many cases, standard cable sheaths are not resistant to such aggressive substances. Thus, using cables with high chemical resistance is essential to ensure uninterrupted operations and system reliability.

1.3 Water resistance and washdown durability

In F&B facilities, cold floors and hot-water cleaning processes often lead to condensation. Therefore, cables and connectors used in these areas must offer excellent ingress protection, with sealed and robust construction. Cables with pre-molded connectors and locking mechanisms enable quick and secure plug-and-play installation while preventing the intrusion of water, oil, dust, and other contaminants. Additionally, continuous flexing and tensile strength ensure long-lasting performance in demanding production environments.

1.4 High flexibility

Industrial control cables with smaller diameters are ideal for installations in tight spaces with small bending radii. This is especially beneficial in F&B plants, where equipment is densely arranged and space is limited. High flexibility simplifies cable routing, installation, and maintenance while ensuring stable electrical connections. It also allows the system to adapt more easily to dynamic production settings, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency.

2.1 What is ECOLAB?

Ecolab Inc. is a global leader in professional hygiene and disinfection solutions across various industries, including the food and beverage (F&B) sector. For electrical cable products, ECOLAB provides material durability tests that evaluate a cable’s resistance to aggressive cleaning chemicals used in F&B environments.

2.2 ECOLAB cable quality testing

ECOLAB’s tests for the F&B industry are designed to assess the corrosion resistance of control cables commonly used in hygienic production settings. The testing procedure involves exposing cable samples to a wide range of cleaning and disinfecting chemicals such as chlorine, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, and other disinfectants.

Samples are immersed in these solutions for several days and then undergo visual inspection and mechanical property evaluation. Materials that pass the test must show no signs of cracking, blistering, or significant mechanical degradation.

The ECOLAB testing process involves several common cleaning and disinfecting agents used in the F&B industry, including:

• Alkaline disinfectants with active chlorine (P3-topax 66)
• Acidic foaming cleaners (P3-topax 52)
• Alkaline, chlorine-free foaming cleaners (P3-topactive 200)
• Foaming peroxyacid-based disinfectants (P3-topactive Okto)
• Deionized water, used as a control reference

2.3 Applications requiring ECOLAB®-certified cables

Certain environments demand cables and components that are not only durable but also antimicrobial, corrosion-resistant, and easy to clean to maintain the highest hygiene standards in food and beverage production. Typical applications include:

• High-pressure washdown areas
• Automatic packaging and bagging machines
• Electronic control systems
• Cable carriers and energy chains
• Power supply to fans, pumps, motors, and handheld tools
• Conveyor systems
• Refrigerators, cooling units, and freezers
• Canning and filling lines
• Any application requiring control of fungi, bacteria, or mold growth

In F&B manufacturing facilities, there are three key hygiene-critical zones where the use of ECOLAB-certified control cables is essential: the hygienic design zone, the spray zone, and the non-product zone.

3.1 Hygienic design zone

Also known as the product zone or preprocess-integrated zone, this is the area where food comes into direct contact with motors, actuators, and other components - essentially where food is processed and handled.

In this zone, motors and equipment are cleaned multiple times per day using aggressive cleaning agents and must comply with strict hygiene protocols. Therefore, special materials and design principles are applied to ensure fully sealed enclosures, stable operation, and surfaces that do not support bacterial growth.

4.1 PVC control cables

PVC remains one of the most widely used materials for control cables. Thanks to advances in material technology, HELUKABEL’s ECOLAB-certified PVC control cables offer significantly improved technical properties, including: durability, thermal resistance, abrasion resistance…

>>See more: HELUKABEL's portfolio for control cables

4.3 Servo, motor, feedback cables

Several ECOLAB®-certified servo, motor, and feedback cables suitable for use in the F&B industry include:

• TOPSERV® PUR 109
• TOPSERV® PUR 113
• TOPSERV® PUR 121
• TOPGEBER® 512 PUR

4.4 Cable accessories for F&B industry

In addition to control cables, HELUKABEL also offers a range of ECOLAB®-certified cable accessories, such as: