As a military radar systems engineer I deal with various safety issues associated with aircraft radar systems. However, I have recently been looking at the safety of some associated benign environment test equipment comprising (at least in the context of safety) various simple 230v standard mains power commercial components. The connection mechanism for these internal components are, in some cases, tight push fit spade terminal type connections. The "free" terminal at the end of the connection wire is insulated with a recessed inner. The wire connection to this "free" spade connector is also covered with a heatshrink sleeve which provides additional insulation and containment for the wire. Thus if the wire joint somehow breaks, the wire remains insulated and held in place. This then provides adequate single fault containment as far as, say, wire breakage at the wire joint is concerned.
Here is my very trivial question......... What I can't get clear in my mind is this: If I wish, I can, of course, just completely pull the "free" connector off the component terminal. Is the complete disconnection of the spade terminal pair, with the free end now hanging loose, regarded as a single fault to be dealt with, or is this regarded as too gross to be considered a single fault? Any advice would be appreciated Regards Dave Palmer
