Food and beverage plants bring a unique set of headaches for cable management. Frequent washdowns, grease buildup, and strict hygiene rules rule out many common tray types. This case covers a food processing workshop upgrade project where BDCABLETRAY supplied stainless steel wire mesh cable tray and matching accessories to meet the site’s sanitation and electrical requirements.
Project Background
Site overview
This plant is a packaged food production workshop in Southeast Asia. The production area runs daily cleaning cycles with high-pressure water and mild alkaline detergent. Old PVC conduits were cracking after repeated washing, while the original small metal tray trapped food residue and grease, which was hard to clean and failed hygiene audits. The contractor needed an open cable support system that could be wiped or rinsed easily.
Core design challenges
The first priority was cleanability. Closed trough trays would hold debris inside and create blind spots. The route also had many pipe crossings, conveyor brackets and ceiling beams, which meant dozens of direction changes. The client did not want to wait weeks for custom factory elbows. They also required compliance with IEC 61537 and local food plant electrical standards.
BDCABLETRAY Wire Mesh Tray Solution
Product specification and finish
BDCABLETRAY recommended 304 stainless steel wire mesh cable tray with 4 mm welded wire, 200 mm width and 50 mm depth. All couplers, hangers and support brackets were also 304 stainless steel to avoid galvanic corrosion. We added plastic dividers to separate power cables from instrument and sensor wiring, to reduce signal interference.
Layout and installation strategy
The installation team set support spacing at 1.2 meters. Workers cut and bent the wire mesh on site around pipes and conveyor frames, without ordering prefabricated elbows. All cut edges were trimmed smooth and fitted with edge protection caps to prevent sharp wires from damaging cable insulation. The tray was mounted with a slight slope along the run so rinse water would drain off instead of pooling.
Hygiene and inspection checks
Our technical team reviewed the layout before installation. We avoided mounting the tray directly above open food lines, and kept all joints exposed for easy inspection. After installation, the client’s sanitation team ran a test washdown to confirm the mesh surface could be fully rinsed without hidden corners for grease accumulation.
Project Outcome
Around 1100 meters of stainless steel wire mesh tray was installed over seven working days. The open mesh structure lets cleaning crews spray water and detergent right through the tray, cutting sanitation inspection time significantly. Eighteen months after handover, the plant still passes every hygiene audit, with no rust or stuck food waste on the tray surface. The maintenance team also finds it simple to trace sensor cables and add new production lines without major rework.
Practical Takeaways From This Job
Drainage and slope matter for washdown zones
Even stainless steel will show staining if water sits for long. A gentle slope and open mesh design work together to keep the system dry after cleaning.
Stick to full stainless accessories
Many projects make the mistake of using carbon steel bolts on stainless mesh. In washdown environments, those fasteners corrode quickly and stain the whole tray run.
Keep cable separation simple
Mixing power and signal cables on the same mesh tray can trigger unstable sensor readings. Low-cost dividers are a simple fix that prevents troubleshooting headaches later.
Contact BDCABLETRAY
If you are working on food, beverage, pharmaceutical or other washdown-sensitive facilities, talk to BDCABLETRAY. We supply stainless steel, hot dip galvanized and pre-galvanized wire mesh cable tray, plus dividers, hangers and edge guards. Send your site drawings and cleaning requirements, and our engineers will prepare a suitable quotation. Contact BDCABLETRAY for samples and technical support.
FAQ
Q1: Why choose wire mesh tray over solid tray for food factories?
Solid bottom tray easily traps food scraps and wash water inside. Open wire mesh allows full rinsing, drains quickly and leaves no hidden gaps for bacteria buildup, which fits food plant hygiene rules better.
Q2: Is 304 stainless wire mesh tray enough for regular washdown?
For most food plants with neutral or mild detergent washdown, 304 stainless works well. If the site uses strong chlorine cleaners or salt brine, 316L stainless steel is the safer option.
Q3: Can wire mesh tray withstand high-pressure washing?
Yes, as long as the tray and supports are correctly sized and securely fixed. The installer should avoid loose hangers, and all weld points must be consistent to prevent wire breakage under repeated water impact.
Q4: What is the best support spacing for stainless wire mesh tray?
For 200 mm wide mesh tray carrying instrument and light power cables, 1.2 m support spacing is standard. Wider tray or heavier cable bundles need shorter spacing to stop sagging.
Q5: Does BDCABLETRAY supply wire mesh tray with food-grade surface treatment?
We provide stainless steel wire mesh tray with electropolished finish for strict hygiene projects. Tell us your cleaning chemicals and audit requirements, and we can match the right surface treatment.