Sumcab develops and manufactures solutions tailored to all types of markets. The food industry, also known as "Food and Beverage", requires the highest standards of hygiene, which the cables chosen for this sector must meet.
In fact, in an industry with a wide range of applications, cables are highly customised so that they are optimal in their various uses and installations.
However, the specific choice of cables for Food and Beverage or any other market depends on the working conditions in which they will be used. It is therefore essential to understand each sector to prioritise components according to the intended function. It is therefore essential to understand each sector to prioritise components according to the intended function.
There are many reasons to choose specific cables for Food and Beverage, but above all, three of them are essential. Let's analyse them:
Food and Beverage: cables resistant to stringent hygiene measures
One of the main requirements in the Food and Beverage sector is related to the strict hygiene measures required in these facilities.
Food safety is one of the most important requirements in all food processing plants. Strict compliance is therefore crucial.
To achieve this, the facilities undergo constant cleaning. All machinery and equipment are continuously exposed to cleaning agents and aggressive chemicals. The goal is to eliminate any possibility of potential germs and prevent any form of contamination.
Due to these hygiene measures, cables that are resistant to these chemical agents are required. Sometimes, with the aim of maintaining the highest level of hygiene, cables must be placed in stainless steel tubes or special protective conduits.
They must also withstand high-pressure water jets, as this is another common method used for cleaning these facilities. Therefore, cables in Food and Beverage have this special quality that is not required in other markets.
Food and Beverage: cables resistant to extreme temperatures
Another feature required in cables for the Food and Beverage industry is the need to withstand extreme temperatures.
Cooling chambers for product maintenance, thermal processes to maintain food safety or eliminate any trace of microorganisms, as well as wet areas and corridors are quite common in these types of facilities.
Extreme temperatures are risk factors for standard cables, so the models chosen must withstand cold, thermal processes and high levels of humidity.
To choose the right cables, make sure they have good mechanical resistance, guaranteeing optimal operation even in the most challenging situations.
Food and Beverage: fire-resistant cables
Finally, one of the main reasons for choosing specific cables for the Food and Beverage sector is fire resistance.
Although this is a common requirement in other industrial areas, consider that the focus cannot be solely on this factor. Cables are needed that meet the above requirements and also help to reduce fire propagation in the event of an incident.
To ensure fire resistance in cables in the Food and Beverage sector, it is important that they have the following specifications:
- Halogen-free cables, thus presenting low- or even zero-emission of polluting gases in the event of a fire.
- Adequate light transmittance, meaning that the smoke they generate is not too opaque, ensuring visibility in the area to facilitate personnel evacuation.
- Avoid corrosive effects in order to preserve, as much as possible, the devices and equipment connected to these cables.
- Help to maintain the electrical service of emergency elements that assist in warning and evacuation in the facilities.
- Prevent, as much as possible, fire propagation.
Recommended Sumcab cables for the Food and Beverage sector
Sumcab offers an extensive range of cables specifically designed for the Food and Beverage sector, especially mentioning the Fortix range, which has Ecolab certification.
This certification is food-industry specific, subjecting the cables to tests and trials to determine their suitability for such installations.
Cables such as Sumflex® Fortis+ 500 300/500V, Sumflex® Fortis+ 500C 300/500V and Sumflex® Fortis Sensor are suitable for all types of Food and Beverage companies because they have been designed with the specifications described for this sector in mind:
- Resistant to chemical agents.
- They can withstand the constant steam generated in these installations.
- They can withstand very low temperatures.
- They can withstand chemical agents used for the demanding cleaning processes in this sector.
- They can withstand environments in continuous movement.
- Compatibility with explosion risk and flammable areas.
- Excellent performance in the event of fire.
In addition to these specifications, each company in the Food and Beverage sector has its own specific needs. Sumcab therefore provides personalised advice to ensure your cables have the most suitable specifications for any work environment.
