Leviton Catalog - Womack Electric Supply Company

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONHigh-Abuse Wiring Devices — UL Listed Hospital GradeWhy was it developed?Hospital Grade Listed devices were developed to provide maximumsafety in high-abuse applications where constant strenuous use of thedevice is common. These highest reliability devices are built to protectagainst possible human negligence and keep the devices safe andfunctional.What are the applications for Hospital Grade,High Abuse Devices?Rough use occurs not just in hospitals, but every place where peoplecan’t or won’t be cautious with devices…the cleaning person whoyanks the floor waxer plug down the hall, the mechanic who pulls thedrill plug from the wall, or the child who removes the electric lawnmowerplug from 40 feet away!In addition, Leviton realized that devices in rough use situations areoften exposed to many corrosive liquids, such as cleaning fluids, rugshampoos, chlorinated water, sprays, salt air and chemical fumes. Ourcorrosion resistant devices permit use in environments where theseconditions are common.Demanding Tests for UL Hospital Grade ListingLeviton has designed a line of wiring devices that withstand impact, wear,crushing, and corrosive environments that would destroy ordinary heavydutydevices. Leviton's comprehensive line of Hospital Grade andIndustrial Grade plugs, connectors and receptacles include devices thathave passed a series of demanding UL Hospital Grade tests. This assuresthe end-user of top performance in the harshest industrial environments.Here are examples of how Leviton devices meet or exceed the requirementsof the most rigorous testing!ReceptaclesAbrupt Removal of Plug TestA steel-bodied test plug withbrass blades is inserted into thereceptacle. A 10-pound weightdropped from at least 24 inchesyanks the plug out of the receptacle.This test is done eight timeswith the receptacle rotated intodifferent positions to create thegreatest stress on its face andcontact. After this, the groundingcontact must retain a four ounce,0.184" diameter grounding pin,with the receptacle face down, forone minute. “There shall be nobreakage of the receptacle thatinterferes with the receptacle function or the integrity of the enclosure.The receptacle shall maintain the grounding path integrity through thereceptacle.”Ground Pin TestThe grounding contact of thereceptacle is conditioned by 20insertions with a 0.204" diameteroversized pin. “After conditioning,a 0.184" diameter pin shallbe inserted in the groundingcontact and shall be capable ofsupporting at least four ouncesfor one minute.”Power Blade Retention TestA test plug with oversized bladesof .075" is inserted into the current-carryingopening of the connectorfor 20 conditioning cycles.After the conditioning cycles,“the contact shall be capable ofsupporting for one minute 1 1 ⁄2lbs, secured to a single .055"thick solid steel blade withoutholes.”+4 oz.1.5 lb.Plugs and Connectors500 lb. Crush TestA wired plug or connector isplaced between two steel platesand subjected to a force which issteadily increased to 500 pounds.“There shall be no breakage,deformation or other effect thatmay interfere with the function ofthe device.” Leviton knows that inreal industrial environments,plugs and connectors arecrushed by forces exceeding 500lbs. Leviton performs the crushtest with force of 2500 lbs toensure that our devices withstandthe really heavy hits on the job.Impact TestA wired plug or connector is subjectedto impact from a 10 lb.weight dropped from a height of18 inches. “There shall be nobreakage, deformation or othereffect that may interfere with thefunction of the device.” Plugs andconnectors are subjected tosevere impacts in industrial settings.Therefore, Leviton exceedthe UL requirement by droppingthe weight from a height of 36inches.Cord Pull TestThe cord must remain securelyfastened after straight pulls of30 pounds, and rotating pulls(in a 3-inch circle) of 10 poundsfor two hours. “Displacement ofconductors, insulation, andouter jacket of the flexible cordAWG 18 SVT shall not exceed1/32 inch. There shall be no cuts,rips, or tears in cord insulation.”Heavy-duty cord stress is typicalabuse for industrial plugs andconnectors. Leviton increases the weight in the straight cord pull test to175 lbs. with AWG 14 ST and in the rotating pull test to 20 lbs, ensuringpositive strain relief under industrial conditions.Mechanical Drop TestA sample wired plug or connectoris suspended horizontally by itsattached cord and released sothat it impacts a hard wood surface45 inches below the point ofsuspension — repeated for 1300cycles. “There shall be no breakage,deformation or other damagewhich would interfere with thefunctioning of the device.”For answers to technical questions, call Leviton’s Techline at 1-800-824-3005Technical InformationV7