what temperature can a bs1363-2 dual gang faceplate withstand

what temperature can a bs1363-2 dual gang faceplate withstand?

I see BS1363-2 details the ambient temperature range of -5 to 40degC, but what is the physical allowable contact temperature to the faceplate front? i.e the temperature conducted from a plug top or a pluggable PSU etc.

Asking as I've seen a few examples cracking recently (see picture) all examples are cracking vertically from the bottom to the top centered between the line and neutral up towards the earth socket hole.

Some thoughts are this is due to over tightened screws

Thanks in advance for any help on this one.

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  • Let me add a little more context for this one, this has occurred on sockets where a pluggable wi-fi extender device is used. The wi-fi extender device is also under investigation.

    I would be inclined to check the dimensions of the plug-in product against the dimensions of BS 1363-1. For a quick check, Electrical Safety First had a 'plug checker', and perhaps consider its weight etc. against tests in BS 1363-1.

  • indeed that is next on the list of things to test, I've a BS1363-1 plug / pin gauge in the lab.

    Maybe there is some movement or expansion in the pins on the Wi-Fi extender due to heat.

  • if you suspect it is getting hot then temperature stickers that have a 'high tide' mark can be used to support  or disprove this. Its the sort of thing we use a lot of inside kit to show if users have been keeping vents clear and so on, as it can affect  who pays for repair.

    Mike
    PS

    Various temperature spans are available - but the 'A series' 40C to 70c one is most useful, and maybe the B series 77C to 115C  anything much lower goes black in the shirt pocket prior to installation, and much over 115C everything electronics is toast anyway.

  • good point Mike thankyou, will look to get some of these inbound.

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