Understanding IP Ratings: What IP33, IP65, and IP69 Mean for Food Processing Equipment

Daily washdowns are hard on food equipment. Learn what IP33, IP65, and IP69 ratings mean and how they affect reliability and total cost of ownership.

When you're shopping for a deli slicer, patty former, or grinder, it's natural to compare horsepower, blade size, and price. One spec that rarely gets a second look is the IP rating. Yet for equipment that gets washed down every day, the IP rating can affect long-term reliability more than almost anything else on the spec sheet. Water damage is one of the most common causes of electrical failure in food processing equipment. That's why ABM slicers use IP69-rated switches and IP65-rated motors. Here's what those numbers mean, and why they matter for your operation.

What is an IP rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection. It's an international standard that measures how well an enclosure keeps out two things: solids (like dust and food particles) and liquids (like water and cleaning solutions).

Every IP rating has two digits. The first digit covers solids, and the second covers liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.

The first digit: protection against solids

Rating - Protection level

IP3X - Protected against tools and thick wires

IP5X - Dust protected

IP6X - Dust tight

In a food environment, solid protection keeps debris and food particles away from sensitive electrical parts.

The second digit: protection against water

Rating - Protection level

IPX3 - Sprayed water

IPX5 - Water jets

IPX6 - Powerful water jets

IPX9 - High-pressure, high-temperature washdown

For delis, meat rooms, and processing plants, the second digit is usually the one that matters most.

IP33, IP65, and IP69: what each one means

IP33: basic protection

Many slicers on the market use switches rated around IP33, and some go lower. An IP33 component has basic protection against solid objects and can handle light sprayed water.

That sounds fine until you think about daily life in a deli or meat room. Equipment gets rinsed, wiped down, exposed to cleaning chemicals, and hit with moisture over and over. With time, water can work its way into lower-rated parts and cause failures you won't see coming.

IP65: built for routine washdowns

An IP65 component is designed for a much tougher environment. It's fully protected against dust and can withstand water jets. That means better resistance to everyday cleaning and a longer life for electrical parts.

ABM uses IP65-rated motors in our slicers because the motor is one of the most expensive parts to replace. For an operation that cleans equipment every day, the difference between IP33 and IP65 can add years of service life.

IP69: the highest washdown protection

IP69 is the highest level of washdown protection you'll commonly find in food equipment. An IP69 component is built to handle high-pressure water, high-temperature water, and aggressive cleaning routines.

ABM slicers use IP69-rated switches for maximum protection against water-related failures. Most operators aren't pressure-washing a deli slicer every day. But that extra margin is a safeguard against years of repeated cleaning and moisture.

Why IP ratings matter more than most buyers realize

Picture two slicers side by side:

Slicer A: Lower purchase price, IP33 switches, standard motor protectionSlicer B: Slightly higher purchase price, IP69 switches, IP65 motor

On day one, Slicer A looks like the better deal. Now add years of daily cleaning, moisture, cleaning chemicals, and heavy production schedules. The lower-rated machine is far more likely to need switch replacements, electrical repairs, and service calls. Each one means downtime at the counter.

That's why total cost of ownership often tells a different story than the price tag. A few extra dollars up front can save you many more over the life of the machine.

Questions to ask before you buy

Before purchasing any slicer, grinder, patty former, or other food processing machine, ask:

What is the IP rating of the switches?
What is the IP rating of the motor?
How is the equipment meant to be cleaned?
Are water-damage failures covered under warranty?
Which parts are replaced most often?

If a salesperson can't answer these, it's worth digging a little deeper before you decide.

The bottom line

IP ratings are one of the most overlooked specs in food processing equipment, but they have a direct effect on reliability, maintenance costs, and how long your machine lasts. Stronger protection against water may cost a bit more up front. It usually pays you back with fewer repairs, less downtime, and a lower total cost of ownership.

So when you compare equipment, look past horsepower, blade size, and price. Compare the protection built into the machine. The numbers on today's spec sheet can decide how many service calls you're making years from now.

Want to see how ABM slicers are built to stand up to daily washdowns? Your local ABM dealer can walk you through the details.

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