Panel Meter Washdown Protection

I design a lot of panels for use in washdown applications. A lot of these have the 1/8 DIN Omron or Red Lion panel meters to read RPM etc. They are rated IP66 and so they don't last long in the environment, maybe a week or so. The sanitation are supposed to cover the panels before washdown but sometimes they don't. There are a few companies that offer plastic covers for them, usually rated at IP66 or IP67 but none at IP69K. Has anyone else faced this issue or have a favorite cover?

Served my time in the dairy industry.

Try find a 69K version of this and add to the new panel:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/inspection-windows/2971207

Another option is to have these 1/8 DIN on a subplate in the panel, and a suitable viewing window to see them. I know a custom enclosure manufacturer can do viewing windows for explosion proof, likely not cheap.

That is a nice cover! I have found several covers that are IP66 and a couple IP67 but I don't know of a company that makes one IP69K and I did a LOT of searching.

Reach out to Mennekes sales and ask them...

How about something like this operator station enclosure from Saginaw?


Put the meters, timers, etc behind the window. They say "equipment in an industrial environment or an environment which may be regularly hosed down or in very wet or oily conditions. Provides protection from dust, dirt, water and oil."

I have seen standing enclosures with split doors that the upper door was plexiglas, but didn't come across one quick.



EDIT: Basically like this:

A good idea, but must be stainless steel and also IP69K.

Ideal would be a small cover that was IP69K instead of all of the IP66 or IP67 covers I keep finding.