Cracking on SNAP PAC or SNAP TEX plastic rack extrusions

Applies To:

SNAP-PAC-RCK4
SNAP-PAC-RCK4-FM
SNAP-PAC-RCK8
SNAP-PAC-RCK8-FM
SNAP-PAC-RCK12
SNAP-PAC-RCK12-FM
SNAP-PAC-RCK16
SNAP-PAC-RCK16-FM
SNAP-TEX-FB16-L
SNAP-TEX-FB16-H
SNAP-TEX-MR10-16C
SNAP-TEX-MR10-16
SNAP-TEX-MR10-4
SNAP-TEX-32
SNAP-AIMA-HDB
SNAP-AIMA-HDB-FM
SNAP-AIV-HDB
SNAP-AIV-HDB-FM
SNAP-UDC-HDB
SNAP-IDC-HDB
SNAP-IDC-HDB-FM
SNAP-ODC-HDB
SNAP-ODC-HDB-FM
SNAP-UDC-HDB-G4
SNAP-SCM-BB4

Versions Affected:

Applies to all versions

Symptoms:

When panel mounted, small hairline crack(s) may form on the plastic rack holder of a SNAP PAC mounting rack or SNAP TEX breakout board. The crack may form next to screws used to mount the rack directly to a panel if there is cutting fluid residue (or other chemical residue) on the backplane the rack is mounted to. Over weeks, months, or years these cracks can "creep." This is typically not an issue when the racks are DIN-rail mounted.

This issue can occur when the plastic rack holder has come in contact with chemicals in cutting fluids, cleaners, lubricants, or other products. When these chemicals contact plastic, Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) may occur. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_stress_cracking

Resolution:

Do not let cutting fluids, cleaners, lubricants, or other chemicals contact the plastic extrusion. If you use these chemicals on the backplane the rack will be mounted to before rack installation, be sure they are thoroughly cleaned off.

Questions?

Contact: Opto 22 Product Support.
Phone: 800-835-6786 or 951-695-3080
Email: support@opto22.com

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