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PROJECT CASE

Food-grade heat-resistant lighting for Farm Frites

A custom-made Snapper HT stainless steel that can withstand drying tunnels, production furnaces, and intensive cleaning, from -40 °C to +70 °C.

PROJECT CONTEXT

Lighting that failed in drying tunnels and production ovens

Farm Frites was experiencing issues with LED lighting that repeatedly failed in the drying tunnels and production ovens. Due to the significant thermal stress on the fixtures and the intensive cleaning routine, the previously chosen fixtures proved unable to withstand this environment.

JEL was also able to offer a solution for the freezing tunnels, with a temperature range of -40 °C to +70 °C during the cleaning processes. This put the project right in the middle of our specialisms: High-temperature lighting en lighting for extreme corrosion.

THE CHALLENGE

Thermal stress, daily cleaning, and the longest possible lifespan

The challenge lay in the combination: absorbing thermal stress, using a stainless steel housing with borosilicate glass, and simultaneously delivering sufficient light within the production machines under all conditions.

Lifespan was the most important factor. Lighting that repeatedly fails in a production line costs money not only for replacement but, more importantly, for downtime.

CURRENT SITUATION

From constantly failing fixtures to a specially developed power supply solution

In the drying tunnels and production ovens, the previously installed LED lighting failed multiple times. Those fixtures were not designed for the combination of high temperatures and the intensive cleaning routine that is standard in the food industry. Each failure meant replacement, and replacement in a production line means downtime.

Instead of choosing yet another standard fixture, we decided to create a version of our stainless steel Snapper HT that is specifically tailored to this environment, in accordance with the dietary guidelines.

Discuss a similar project

Contact our engineering team to discuss lighting for production ovens, drying tunnels, or other food-safe environments.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Project Type

Custom-made heat-resistant and stainless steel lighting for the food industry

Location

Diverse locations worldwide

Type of client

Manufacturer of potato products with worldwide production facilities

Environment

Drying tunnels, production ovens, and freezing tunnels, cleaning from -40 °C to +70 °C

Current situation

Previously installed LED lighting failed multiple times due to thermal stress and cleaning.

Scope of JEL Products

Lighting design, custom fixture engineering, installation design, and delivery

Used products

78x Snapper HT-SS, special power supply version with borosilicate glass

Technical result

200 to 500 lux in the oven, uniformity 0.65 to 0.85, 35 W per fixture

Relevant standards and requirements

EN 12464-1, HACCP-compliant execution, IP69K protection rating, borosilicate glass

OUR ENGINEERING-FIRST APPROACH

First the environment, then the fixture

JEL specifically designed a version of the stainless steel Snapper HT that complies with food safety guidelines. The fixture combines a stainless steel housing with borosilicate glass, is HACCP-compliant, and has an IP69K protection rating, enabling it to withstand both the thermal stress of drying tunnels and ovens and high-pressure cleaning over the long term.

The lighting design has been tested according to EN 12464-1, and the luminaire design meets the HACCP requirements for food-safe production environments. Due to the thermal design and material selection, light output is maintained, even after repeated cleaning cycles from -40 °C to +70 °C. We apply the same design principles to Extreme corrosion.

The Project in Focus

Scope Van Jel Products

From lighting design and fixture development to delivery

JEL provided the lighting design for the drying tunnels, production ovens, and cooling tunnels, as well as the engineering of a custom luminaire and the design of the installation. Subsequently, 78 Snapper HT-SS luminaires were delivered, in a version specifically developed for this food-processing environment.

Image of high-temperature resistant lighting at food industry company Farm Frites

The Snapper HT-SS in a power supply version

A special version of the stainless steel Snapper HT has been developed for Farm Frites. The housing is made entirely of stainless steel, the glass is borosilicate, and the fixture is designed to comply with HACCP standards.

Stainless steel housing with borosilicate glass

Borosilicate glass is resistant to strong temperature changes and does not break from thermal shock. This is exactly what is needed when a fixture is cleaned in an environment of +70 °C.

IP69K Protection Rating

The cleaning routine in the food industry involves high pressure and high temperature. IP69K is the toughest protection rating available and is precisely designed for that cleaning.

Lighting design in the wind tunnel

The lighting design has been tested according to EN 12464-1. In the oven, 200 to 500 lux is achieved, with a uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the different zones.

Product Engineering BA48

Temperature range from -40°C to +70°C

For the freeze tunnels, the luminaire had to operate at -40 °C and withstand +70 °C during cleaning processes. The thermal design is matched to that full range.

78 fittings, 5-year warranty

To date, 78 Snapper HT-SS fixtures have been delivered, with a 5-year warranty covering this service life under the thermal and cleaning stresses of this production environment.

SOLUTION AND RESULT

Reliable lighting in oven and drying tunnel, with a 5-year warranty

The installation achieves 200 to 500 lux in the oven with a uniformity of 0.65 to 0.85 across the different zones, at a power consumption of only 35 W per fixture.

More importantly: the fixtures are resistant to the thermal stress and cleaning cycles that caused previous lighting to fail. This has resolved the failure issue on the production lines, with a 5-year warranty on this service life. More about our approach in the heavy industry and extreme heat.

USED PRODUCT

Snapper HT-SS in a special power supply version

For this project, a special food-grade version of the stainless steel Snapper HT Developed: the Snapper HT-SS. A total of 78 units were delivered, featuring a stainless steel housing, borosilicate glass, and an IP69K protection rating that withstands high-pressure and high-temperature cleaning.

With only 35 W per fixture, the installation delivers 200 to 500 lux in the oven, with a uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the different areas. A 5-year warranty applies to this operating life.

Project-related questions

The fixtures in the drying tunnels and production ovens had to withstand significant thermal stress and an intensive cleaning routine. The lighting previously chosen was not resistant to this and failed multiple times.

For this project, a special version of the Snapper HT stainless steel fixture was manufactured in accordance with food safety guidelines, featuring a stainless steel housing, borosilicate glass, a HACCP-compliant design, and an IP69K protection rating, ensuring that the fixture fits within production machinery and withstands cleaning processes.

The solution is designed for a temperature range of -40 °C to +70 °C, including cleaning processes in freezing tunnels, and for the thermal load of drying tunnels and production ovens.

200 to 500 lux, with uniformity between 0.65 and 0.85 across the different areas, at only 35 W per fixture, conforming to EN 12464-1.

A 5-year warranty applies to this service life, even under the thermal and cleaning load of this production environment.

Discuss a similar project with us

Are you working on a lighting project for a production line, an oven, a drying tunnel, or another food-safe environment? Our engineering team would be happy to collaborate with you.

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