{"id":161,"date":"2026-07-08T08:53:10","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T08:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/?p=161"},"modified":"2026-07-08T08:53:10","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T08:53:10","slug":"stainless-steel-motors-why-food-processing-plants-need-ss316l","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/stainless-steel-motors-why-food-processing-plants-need-ss316l\/","title":{"rendered":"Stainless Steel Motors: Why Food Processing Plants Need SS316L"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Korea Ever-Power \u00b7 BXG Series \u00b7 Food-Grade Motor Guide<\/span><\/p>\n

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Stainless Steel Motors:
\nWhy Food Processing Plants Need SS316L<\/span><\/h1>\n

A standard industrial motor will corrode, harbour bacteria, and fail within months in a food processing environment subject to daily high-pressure hot water and caustic detergent washdown. A genuine food-grade stainless steel motor built from SS316L with IP69K certification, FDA-compliant seals, and Ra 0.8 \u03bcm surface finish addresses every hygiene and durability requirement \u2014 and is the only specification accepted in meat, dairy, beverage, and pharmaceutical production areas governed by HACCP and EHEDG guidelines.<\/p>\n

SS316L Full Construction<\/span>
\nIP69K Certified<\/span>
\nEHEDG \/ HACCP Compliant<\/span>
\nFDA Silicone Seals<\/span>
\nNSF H1 Grease<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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316L<\/div>\n
All external parts stainless grade<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Ra 0.8 \u03bcm<\/div>\n
Max. surface roughness all external<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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IP69K<\/div>\n
80 bar \/ 80\u00b0C jet protection<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Class H<\/div>\n
Insulation class for thermal shock<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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0.18\u201311 kW<\/div>\n
BXG series power range<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Stainless<\/p>\n
Korea Ever-Power BXG series stainless steel motor \u2014 every external component from frame to fasteners is AISI 316L, finished to Ra 0.8 \u03bcm. The motor meets IP69K, EHEDG, and HACCP requirements for use in direct food contact zones of meat, dairy, beverage, and pharmaceutical facilities.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Contents<\/div>\n
1. Why Standard Motors Fail in Food Plants<\/a>
\n2. SS316L vs SS304: Why Grade Matters<\/a>
\n3. Surface Finish and Hygienic Design<\/a>
\n4. The Complete Food-Grade Motor Specification<\/a>
\n5. Korea Ever-Power BXG Series<\/a>
\n6. Food Sector Applications<\/a>
\n7. Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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1. Why Standard Motors Fail in Food Processing Environments<\/h2>\n

The operating environment in a food processing area is fundamentally hostile to standard industrial motors. Three mechanisms destroy conventional motors within months of installation in food zones, regardless of their IP rating or paint specification.<\/p>\n

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Corrosion from Cleaning Chemicals<\/div>\n

Food plant CIP (clean-in-place) circuits use sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) at 150 to 500 ppm, peracetic acid at 0.1 to 0.2%, and caustic soda (NaOH) at pH 12 to 13. Cast iron motor frames corrode visibly within days of exposure to chlorinated cleaning agents. Painted aluminium frames lose their coating within weeks. Once the base metal is exposed, the corrosion accelerates, producing iron oxide (rust) or aluminium hydroxide particles that contaminate food products and create a documented food safety risk requiring regulatory action.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bacterial Biofilm on Rough Surfaces<\/div>\n

Standard motor frames have surface roughness values of Ra 3 to 12 \u03bcm from casting, machining, and painting processes. At Ra above 0.8 \u03bcm, bacterial cells find anchor points in surface irregularities that are protected from the shear force of even high-pressure cleaning jets. Listeria monocytogenes<\/em> and Salmonella<\/em> form biofilms in these surface pits that survive standard CIP cycles and recontaminate food products during subsequent production. EHEDG and 3-A Sanitary Standards require all food-contact-zone equipment surfaces to be Ra 0.8 \u03bcm or smoother, which eliminates standard motor frames from food area use entirely.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Thermal Shock from Washdown Cycles<\/div>\n

A motor running at operating temperature (frame surface 60 to 80\u00b0C) subjected to an 80\u00b0C hot water washdown followed by a cold water rinse at 10 to 15\u00b0C experiences thermal cycling of 50 to 70 K within minutes. Standard Class F insulation systems degrade from repeated thermal cycling because the differential thermal expansion between copper windings, iron core, and impregnation resin creates micro-cracks in the insulation. Class H insulation (180\u00b0C rated) is required for food-grade motors to withstand the thermal shock regime of a multiple-daily washdown operation over a 5 to 10 year service life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Regulatory Context<\/div>\n

EU Regulation (EC) 1935\/2004 requires that all materials in contact with food, or likely to contact food through drip or splash, must not transfer components to food in quantities that endanger human health. USDA Accepted Equipment listing and NSF\/ANSI 169 set equivalent requirements for North America. These regulations mean that a corroding cast iron motor mounted above a food conveyor is not a maintenance problem \u2014 it is a compliance failure that can trigger a production shutdown, product recall, or facility inspection.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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2. SS316L vs SS304: Why the Steel Grade Matters<\/h2>\n

Not all stainless steel performs equally in food processing environments. The choice between SS304 (1.4301) and SS316L (1.4404) is determined by the chloride content of the cleaning chemicals and the ambient humidity at the installation site.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Property<\/th>\nSS304 (1.4301)<\/th>\nSS316L (1.4404)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Key alloying elements<\/td>\n18% Cr, 8% Ni<\/td>\n18% Cr, 10% Ni, 2% Mo<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Chloride resistance<\/td>\nPitting above 200 ppm Cl\u207b<\/td>\nResistant to 600+ ppm Cl\u207b<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pitting corrosion index (PRE)<\/td>\n~18<\/td>\n~24 (Mo adds ~5 PRE points)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Crevice corrosion resistance<\/td>\nModerate<\/td>\nSuperior (Mo content)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EHEDG \/ 3-A acceptance<\/td>\nAccepted only in low-chloride applications<\/td>\nPreferred and specified for all food zones<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical food industry use<\/td>\nLow-chloride bakery, dry storage, some dry powder handling<\/td>\nAll wet food zones: meat, dairy, seafood, beverage, pharma<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

The molybdenum content in 316L creates a more stable passive oxide layer that resists breakdown in the presence of chloride ions \u2014 the active agent in hypochlorite cleaning solutions. A 304 stainless steel motor in a dairy washdown area will show visible pitting corrosion on the frame surface within 12 to 24 months, compromising both the Ra 0.8 \u03bcm surface requirement and the long-term mechanical integrity of the enclosure. Korea Ever-Power specifies 316L as the only acceptable steel grade for all BXG series food-grade motors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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3. Surface Finish and Hygienic Design Principles<\/h2>\n
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EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) Document 8 defines the hygienic design principles for all equipment installed in food processing areas. For electric motors, the key requirements beyond IP69K and material grade are surface finish, drainage geometry, and elimination of dead zones where food residue or cleaning liquid can accumulate.<\/p>\n

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Ra \u2264 0.8 \u03bcm on all external surfaces<\/div>\n

Achieved on BXG series by precision turning and grinding of all frame surfaces after casting and before assembly. The 0.8 \u03bcm limit is the threshold below which bacterial biofilm formation rate drops sharply \u2014 cells cannot achieve the stable initial surface contact needed to initiate biofilm in crevices below this roughness level.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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No horizontal flat surfaces or dead zones<\/div>\n

BXG series frame cooling fins are oriented at an angle to prevent water and food residue from pooling. The terminal box lid uses a convex profile rather than the flat lid standard on conventional motors. All external fastener recesses are minimised; socket head cap screws with smooth faces are used instead of cross-head or hexagonal recessed screws that trap food particles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Full drainage after washdown<\/div>\n

EHEDG requires that no pooled water remains on equipment surfaces more than 10 seconds after the end of a cleaning cycle. The BXG series frame profile is designed with drain angles on all horizontal-facing surfaces so cleaning water drains completely by gravity after the washdown is complete, preventing the residual moisture that would otherwise support bacterial growth between cleaning cycles.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\"Stainless<\/p>\n
Food processing conveyor line \u2014 stainless steel motors mounted in splash zones of meat and poultry processing conveyors must meet both the electrical IP69K requirement and the hygienic design requirements for surface finish and drainage to pass USDA and EU facility inspections.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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4. The Complete Food-Grade Motor Specification<\/h2>\n

IP69K is a necessary condition but not sufficient on its own for food-grade use. The full specification for a stainless steel motor suitable for wet food processing areas requires all of the following simultaneously:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Requirement<\/th>\nStandard Motor<\/th>\nBXG Food-Grade Motor<\/th>\nRegulatory Basis<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Frame material<\/td>\nCast iron \/ aluminium<\/td>\nAISI 316L full construction<\/td>\nEHEDG Doc.8; 3-A SSI 78<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water protection<\/td>\nIP54 or IP55 typical<\/td>\nIP69K certified<\/td>\nIEC 60529; DIN 40050-9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Surface roughness<\/td>\nRa 3\u201312 \u03bcm (cast \/ painted)<\/td>\nRa \u2264 0.8 \u03bcm all surfaces<\/td>\nEHEDG; EC 1935\/2004<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shaft seals<\/td>\nNitrile rubber (non-FDA)<\/td>\nFDA silicone (21 CFR 177.2600)<\/td>\nFDA 21 CFR; NSF\/ANSI 169<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Bearing grease<\/td>\nIndustrial Li grease<\/td>\nNSF H1 food-grade<\/td>\nNSF International H1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insulation class<\/td>\nClass F (155\u00b0C)<\/td>\nClass H (180\u00b0C)<\/td>\nIEC 60034-1; thermal shock requirement<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shaft material<\/td>\nCarbon steel<\/td>\n316L stainless steel<\/td>\nEHEDG; contamination prevention<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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5. Korea Ever-Power BXG Series<\/h2>\n
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The BXG series is Korea Ever-Power\u2019s dedicated food-grade stainless steel motor range, available from the stainless steel motors product section<\/a>. Every component that could make contact with the food processing environment \u2014 frame, end shields, fan cover, cooling fins, terminal box, all fasteners, shaft, and shaft seal \u2014 is manufactured from or coated with 316L stainless steel, finished to Ra 0.8 \u03bcm.<\/p>\n

The BXG series uses a squirrel-cage induction motor platform sharing the same electrical design as the standard Y2 series, allowing direct performance substitution. The 2-pole (2,850 rpm) and 4-pole (1,440 rpm) pole configurations cover the speed range needed for most food processing conveyors, pump drives, agitators, and packaging line motors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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BXG Series Specifications<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Frame<\/td>\nAISI 316L stainless<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
IP rating<\/td>\nIP69K<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Surface finish<\/td>\nRa \u2264 0.8 \u03bcm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Insulation<\/td>\nClass H (180\u00b0C)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shaft seals<\/td>\nFDA silicone<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Grease<\/td>\nNSF H1 food-grade<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Voltage<\/td>\n380 V 50 Hz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Power range<\/td>\n0.18\u201311 kW<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Poles available<\/td>\n2P (2,850 rpm) \/ 4P (1,440 rpm)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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6. Food Sector Applications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Stainless<\/p>\n
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Meat and Poultry Processing<\/div>\n

Conveyor drives, deboning table drives, and portion control line motors in red meat and poultry facilities are subject to multiple daily CIP cycles with NaOCl at 200 to 400 ppm and NaOH at pH 12. SS316L stainless steel motors with IP69K are the mandatory specification under USDA\/FSIS and EU 853\/2004 hygienic slaughter and processing regulations. The BXG series 4-pole models (1,440 rpm) paired with worm or helical reducers are the standard conveyor drive solution at 0.37 to 2.2 kW.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n

\"Stainless<\/p>\n
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Dairy and Beverage Production<\/div>\n

Milk receiving, pasteurisation, filling, and packaging line motor drives in dairy and beverage plants operate in warm, humid environments where cleaning intervals can be as short as 4 to 6 hours. The SS316L BXG series provides the corrosion resistance needed for peracetic acid CIP at 0.1 to 0.2%, high-pressure hot water at 80\u00b0C, and steam cleaning at up to 100\u00b0C in cheese and yoghurt production areas. The 2-pole (2,850 rpm) BXG models are used for centrifugal pump drives and agitator drives in mixing vessels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Fish and Seafood<\/div>\n

Extreme Cl\u207b exposure from brine and gut acids. 316L preferred over 304 in all contact zones. BXG 0.37 to 1.5 kW 4-pole for filleting conveyor and washing drum drives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Bakery and Confectionery<\/div>\n

Dough mixer and depositor drives in bread and pastry lines use BXG 0.75 to 5.5 kW models. Sugar and chocolate residue requires high-pressure hot water removal from motor surfaces.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Pharmaceutical<\/div>\n

API manufacturing mixing, granulation, and tablet coating line motors require GMP qualification documentation. BXG IP69K certification provides the third-party evidence for equipment validation packages.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Brewing and Distilling<\/div>\n

Wort transfer pump, mash agitator, and fermentation vessel drive motors in breweries and distilleries. Hot water and steam CIP at brewing temperatures requires Class H insulation and IP69K.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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\"Korea<\/p>\n

Rotor Production<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Korea<\/p>\n

QC Inspection<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Korea<\/p>\n

CE and ISO Certified<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Korea<\/p>\n

Engineering Team<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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7. Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n
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Can a painted standard motor with IP65 be used in a food processing area to save cost?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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No. An IP65-rated painted cast iron or aluminium motor does not meet any of the food hygiene requirements for a washdown area. IP65 does not protect against the 80 bar 80\u00b0C jets of a food plant CIP system. Painted surfaces at Ra 3 to 12 \u03bcm cannot be adequately sanitised and will harbour bacterial biofilm. Paint flaking from CIP chemical exposure or mechanical impact creates a direct food contamination risk. The regulatory and food safety consequences of using a non-compliant motor in a food production area significantly outweigh the initial cost saving of a standard motor versus a BXG series food-grade unit.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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How should a BXG stainless steel motor be cleaned during production washdown?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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BXG series motors can be cleaned during the production area CIP cycle using standard food plant high-pressure hot water at 60 to 80 bar and 70 to 80\u00b0C with the motor running or stopped. Apply cleaning chemicals (NaOCl, peracetic acid, or NaOH solution) at standard food plant concentrations using a foam applicator or spray lance, allow the prescribed contact time, then rinse with clean high-pressure water at the same pressure and temperature. There is no need to cover or isolate the motor during washdown, which is the practical operational advantage of IP69K over IP55 or IP65 ratings. Inspect the shaft seal area visually at each washdown for signs of seal degradation \u2014 any grease or lubricant visible around the shaft seal indicates replacement is needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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What is the service life of the BXG series in a twice-daily high-pressure washdown environment?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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With correct installation and maintenance (annual bearing temperature check, shaft seal inspection at each washdown, and bearing grease top-up or replacement per the maintenance schedule), BXG series motors are designed for a minimum 10-year service life in a twice-daily IP69K washdown environment. The limiting components are the shaft seals (typically replaced every 3 to 5 years in high-frequency washdown service) and the bearings (typically replaced every 5 to 8 years depending on load and speed). The 316L stainless frame, fins, and fasteners are maintenance-free for the life of the motor in standard food plant cleaning chemical concentrations.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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 <\/p>\n

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Korea Ever-Power \u00b7 BXG Stainless Steel Motors<\/div>\n

Need SS316L IP69K Motors for Your Food Processing Line?<\/h2>\n

Korea Ever-Power BXG series: full 316L stainless, IP69K, FDA silicone seals, NSF H1 grease, Ra 0.8 \u03bcm surface finish. Available 0.18 to 11 kW in 2-pole and 4-pole configurations from stock.<\/p>\n

View BXG Stainless Motors<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Edited by Cxm<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Korea Ever-Power \u00b7 BXG Series \u00b7 Food-Grade Motor Guide Stainless Steel Motors: Why Food Processing Plants Need SS316L A standard industrial motor will corrode, harbour bacteria, and fail within months in a food processing environment subject to daily high-pressure hot water and caustic detergent washdown. A genuine food-grade stainless steel motor built from SS316L with […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-industrial-electric-motor"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":166,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161\/revisions\/166"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/industrialelectricmotor.net\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}