Accurate temperature measurement and reliable monitoring throughout a food production facility help create a more hygienic environment, one where harmful bacteria do not proliferate. Made in the greater Houston area, WIKA’s hygienic temperature sensors come with fast shipping and local customer support.

Salmonella in food kits. Listeria in cold cuts. Vegetables and fruits contaminated with E. coli. Whether the bacterial contamination was local or regional, improperly processed foods harm customers and are bad for business.

While the reasons vary for these and other recalls, one thing is true: accurate temperature measurement in the food and beverage industry can prevent some of the conditions that lead to foodborne illnesses. Robust, reliable sensors help ensure that:

  • Cooking temperatures are hot enough to kill bacteria.
  • Cleaning temperatures are high enough to sterilize food-handling equipment.
  • Food storage temperatures are low enough to prevent bacterial growth.

Thermometers used in this industry should be designed for sanitary applications. This means the process connections, wetted materials, and surface finishes must comply with 3-A sanitary standards.

Sanitary Temperature Probes

Also known as RTDs (resistance temperature detectors), resistance thermometers are ideal for use in food production facilities due to the instruments’ high accuracy, long-term stability, and easy installation and calibration. WIKA offers a selection of industrial sanitary sensors, all with 3-A and/or EHEDG certifications and autoclavable versions available. Pair the temperature probe with a thermowell for extra protection against harsh process conditions.

TR21-C miniature resistance thermometer

TR21-C mini RTD

The compact TR21-C temperature probe comes integrated with sterile process connections. Choose from one of six types of hygienic connections, as well as the insertion length, sensor type (Pt100 or Pt1000), and either direct sensor output or integrated transmitter with 4…20 mA output signal. Since moisture is a common cause of sensor failure, the electrical components have ingress protection up to IP67 to IP69K. This small, easily customizable resistance thermometer is the ideal instrument for tight spaces in food production facilities.

Some manufacturers of sanitary probes put a sanitary gasket between the protection tube and the flange. But since gaskets comes into contact with the product, and even food-grade elastomers have crevices that can harbor bacteria, WIKA welds the two components together to avoid using a sealant. This welded junction also holds up better than elastomers under the strong chemicals and high temperatures and pressure of cleaning- and sterilizing-in-place (CIP/SIP) processes.

TR22-A resistance thermometer

TR22-A resistance thermometer

The TR22-A features a Pt100 sensor and thin-film technology for fast, accurate, and reliable temperature measurements. The stainless steel head of this temperature probe is easily cleanable in all mounting positions, and the sensor is available with numerous sanitary process connections, including TRI-CLAMP®, VARINLINE®, and NEUMO BioControl®. There are two options for transmitter integration:

The measuring insert is spring-loaded to maintain contact between the sensor tip and the bottom of the protection tube, thus ensuring high accuracy and a fast response time.

In-line Temperature Sensors for Demanding Hygienic Applications

Not all piping in a food production facility can or should accommodate insertion-type temperature probes. These situations include pipelines that

  • Use solid cast or scraper pigs rather than gel or foam pigs for cleaning and drying
  • Have highly viscous media, as probes could impede flow
  • Carry high-velocity media that could damage the protection tube

Rather than a probe, use a nonintrusive method of measuring temperature, such as with an in-line sensor.

TR25 in-line RTD

TR25 in-line resistance thermometer

Integrated directly into the piping, WIKA’s TR25 in-line resistance thermometer was created for the stringent hygienic requirements of food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology facilities. Its hygienic design has no dead spaces where microbes can hide, and the measuring point is easily cleaned via CIP/SIP, including all types of pipeline pigs.

With 3- or 4-wire platinum measuring resistors and thin-film technology, the TR25 offers an excellent response time and classes A and B accuracy per DIN EN 60751. Explosion-protected versions are also available. An analog or digital transmitter is built into the connection head, with a variety of output signals available: 4…20 mA, HART® protocol, FOUNDATION™ Fieldbus, PROFIBUS® PA, etc.

WIKA USA, Your Partner for More Sanitary Food Production

WIKA offers a wide range of hygienic measurement solutions for the food and beverage industry. What’s more, our sanitary temperature sensors are manufactured in Pasadena, Texas – just southeast of Houston. This means your orders are shipped quickly, and our customer support team are in or near your time zone. Partner with WIKA USA for robust temperature sensors that help keep your processes sanitary and safe.

Products mentioned in this article
•  TR21-C miniature resistance thermometer
•  TR22-A resistance thermometer
•  TR25 in-line resistance thermometer

 

     

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