Specifies the requirements and tests necessary to ensure the safety and dimensional interchangeability of fixed socket-outlets connected to telecommunications wiring.

This Section of BS 6312-2 specifies the requirements and tests necessary to ensure the safety and the dimensional interchangeability of fixed socket-outlets, as defined in 3.2, intended for connection to telecommunications wiring.

Such socket-outlets may be classified both by function, i.e. as being either primary (surge protected or unprotected) or secondary, and according to their method of mounting, i.e. as surface, flush and panel mounted socket-outlets.

This Section does not apply to sockets incorporated in apparatus.

Socket-outlets conforming to this standard are intended to be suitable for use under the following conditions of service unless otherwise specified:

• an ambient temperature in the range −5 °C to +35 °C, the average value over a 24 h period not exceeding 25 °C;
• a situation not subject to direct radiation from the sun or other source of heat likely to raise temperatures above the limits specified above;
• an atmosphere not subject to excessive pollution by smoke, chemical fumes, rain, spray, prolonged or high humidity or other abnormal conditions.

NOTE Socket-outlets conforming to this standard may be suitable for use in other conditions subject to agreement between manufacturer and user. Information given in a manufacturer’s catalogue may take the place of such an agreement.

This standard applies in conjunction with BS 6312-2.1 and the requirements are in addition to those in that standard.

Requirements for electromagnetic compatibility are not given as socket-outlets do not in themselves produce extraneous emissions, nor is their functioning affected by external emissions. Therefore no emission or immunity tests are necessary.