Washdown and Corrosive Area Enclosures and Cooling

A washdown panel needs a NEMA 4X enclosure, a sealed 4X cooling unit or heat exchanger, and cable glands rated for spray. Every part on the box has to carry the rating, or the panel drops to the lowest one. Use 316 stainless where chlorides, salt or strong cleaners are in the area, and 304 stainless or fiberglass where they are not. The tables below give the part numbers for each piece.

Request a Quote Book 30 Minutes to Review the Application Call 248-830-4850

Step 1: Pick the enclosure material

Material	Rating	Example part	Use it when
304 stainless steel	Type 4X	1418N4SSB6 (16 x 12 x 6 in)	Daily washdown with mild cleaners, indoor food and packaging lines
316 stainless steel	Type 4X	1418N4S16B6 (16 x 12 x 6 in)	Chlorides, salt air, caustic or chlorinated cleaners
304 or 316 stainless, sloped top	IP69K and Type 4X	HWST16128SS (304) or HWST16128S16 (316), 16 x 12 x 8 in	Close-range hot, high-pressure spray. The sloped top sheds water and keeps food debris off the roof
Fiberglass	Type 4X	Stahlin CL707W (Classic series)	Chemical plants and wastewater, where many acids and salts attack metal
Polycarbonate	Type 4X and 6P	Hammond 1554B2GY (2.6 x 2.6 x 1.6 in)	Small junction and instrument boxes, clear lids for indicators

Ratings and sizes from the Hammond and Stahlin part data on each product page. Type 4X per NEMA 250 covers hose-down water plus a corrosion test. IP69K (ISO 20653) is a separate test with 80°C water at 80 to 100 bar from close range. More sizes in the Hammond and Stahlin collections.

Step 2: Cool it without opening the box

A Filterfan cannot go on a 4X panel, because the fan opening cannot pass a hose test. Use one of these sealed units. Size it with the heat load calculator first.

Cooling type	4X part on this site	Capacity	Works when
Enclosure air conditioner	Pfannenberg DTS 3081, 13382341300 (230 V, 304 stainless)	2,000 to 3,000 BTU/hr at 95°F/95°F	Any room temperature, including rooms hotter than the panel
Air-to-air heat exchanger	PKS3204A230N4SS (230 V, 4X stainless)	Sized in W/°C at your temperature gap	Room air stays at least 10°C (18°F) below the panel target
Air-to-water heat exchanger	PWS3062A115N4SS (115 V, 4/4X stainless)	850 W (2,000 to 3,000 BTU/hr) per Hammond	Plant or chiller water is colder than the panel target

Capacities from the Pfannenberg and Hammond part data on each product page. Air conditioner output is rated at 95°F room and 95°F panel and drops as the room gets hotter. See air conditioner vs heat exchanger for a sizing example.

Step 3: Seal every cable entry

Part	Rating	Range
AGRO Progress MS 1000.20, M20 nickel-plated brass	IP 68 (10 bar) and IP 69, -40°C to +100°C	Clamps 8 to 15 mm cable with one part number
AGRO Progress MS, M16 to M63 and 1/2 to 1-1/4 in NPT	Same series data	Send the cable OD and thread and we pick the article number

Gland data from the AGRO product data on the product page. Running Lapp SKINTOP or Hummel glands now? See the SKINTOP MS-M and Hummel HSK-M crosses.

Common questions

304 or 316 stainless for a food plant?

Both are Type 4X. 316 adds molybdenum and holds up better against chlorides, salt and chlorinated cleaners. If the sanitation crew uses chlorine-based sanitizers or the plant is near salt, pick 316. Hammond builds the 1418 wallmount in both, like 1418N4SSB6 (304) and 1418N4S16B6 (316).

Is IP69K the same as NEMA 4X?

No. NEMA 4X tests hose-down water and corrosion. IP69K tests hot water at 80 to 100 bar sprayed from close range. If the crew uses a pressure washer near the panel, ask for both, like the Hammond HWST sloped-top series listed IP69K/Type 4X.

Fiberglass or stainless?

Fiberglass resists many acids and salts that attack stainless, and it weighs less. Stainless takes more impact and is the usual pick on food contact lines. Send the chemicals used in the area and we check the resistance chart.

Why does my washdown panel get water inside?

Usually a part on the box does not match the rating: a fan, a gland or a window. A sealed panel that is hosed with cold water can also pull in air as it cools. Check every penetration first, then talk to us about a breather or a drain.

Can I keep the cooling unit I have?

Only if it carries the same 4X rating as the box. One Type 12 unit on a 4X box makes the panel a 12 at best. See NEMA 4 vs 4X vs 12.

Get the full washdown panel quoted

Send the inside size, the rating, the cleaners used in the area and the heat load or drive horsepower. We send back the enclosure, cooling and glands as one quote with lead times.

Request a Quote Book 30 Minutes to Review the Application Call 248-830-4850

NEMA is a registered trademark of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Lapp SKINTOP and Hummel are trademarks of their owners; Applied Control Inc. is not affiliated with them. This page is for selection only; check the current manufacturer datasheet before you specify.