BS 638-5:1988 pdf download.Arc welding power sources, equipment and accessories — Part 5: Specification for accessories.
2.3.3.4 No exposed conductive parts, such as screws, pins, etc. shall come in contact with live parts.
2.3.3.5 Parts designed to carry welding current and likely to be live after disconnection shall be recessed to a depth of at least 10 % of the internal diameter of the insulation with a minimum depth of 2 mm, with respect to the insulating body. NOTE Insulation should be able to withstand normal service conditions so that the dimensions of the recess are maintained during the life of the device.
2.3.3.6 Cable entries shall be so designed as to prevent damage to the welding cable, due to flexing. The covering of the cable shall enter the coupling device to a depth of at least twice the outer diameter of the welding cable, with a minimum insertion of 30 mm.
2.3.3.7 Coupling devices complying with 2.3.3.6 shall be capable of accepting welding cables of the maximum cross-sectional area specified in 2.3.5.5 and at least the next size smaller in the series.
2.3.4 Test requirements
2.3.4.1 Access to live parts. When the tests are carried out as specified in 2.3.5.2, it shall not be possible to come in contact with live parts of a coupling device when coupled. 2.3.4.2 Mechanical characteristics. The mechanical characteristics shall be as follows. a) Cable fixing. When the tests are carried out as specified in 2.3.5.3, the welding cable shall not separate from the plug or the connector. b) Crush strength. When the tests are carried out as specified in 2.3.5.4, with the cable coupler tested in any position with respect to the surface to which the force is applied, the insulation shall not be destroyed and mechanical functioning shall not be impaired. 2.3.4.3 Temperature rise. When the tests are carried out as specified in 2.3.5.5, the following temperature rises shall not be exceeded: a) external surface: 40 K; b) junction of welding cable and plug or connector: 45 K. NOTE These values are temperature rises in relation to the ambient air temperature (maximum 40 ? C).
2.3.5 Conditions and methods of test 2.3.5.1 General. All tests shall be type tests. 2.3.5.2 Access to live parts. Carry out the tests on a joined coupling device, fitted with a welding cable of the minimum cross-sectional area as stated by the manufacturer, by means of a rod of 2.5 mm applied with a force of 3 N. 2.3.5.3 Cable fixing test. Subject a plug, a connector or a plug-connector, equipped with a welding cable of maximum cross-sectional area fixed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, to 10 pulls with a force of 40 N/mm 2 of cross-sectional area of the cable core, with a maximum of 2 000 N applied to the core of the cable. Gradually increase the force for each pull from zero to the specified value in 1 s and maintain for a further 1 s. Repeat this test with a welding cable having the minimum permissible cross-sectional area. If more than one method of cable fixing is provided, test all methods. 2.3.5.4 Crush test. Place a cable coupler, equipped with its two welding cables and assembled as in normal use, between the parallel plates of a press, the axis of the cable coupler being at right angles to the direction of the crush force.
BS 638-5 pdf download.