A thermal sensing system comprising: an electrical contact configured to releasably connect to a mating contact at a mating interface for establishing a conductive path across the mating interface, the electrical contact defining a channel therein that extends from an opening along an outer surface of the electrical contact; a sensing element disposed at least partially outside of the channel and operably connected to the channel through the opening , characterised in that : (i) the sensing element is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature; (ii) the thermal sensing system further comprises at least one position sensor spaced apart from the electrical contact and configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature; and (iii) the thermal sensing system , further comprises a working material within the channel of the electrical contact , the working material having a temperature-dependent expansive property, wherein the working material forces the sensing element to move in a direction away from the channel in response to the temperature increase within the channel . an electrical contact configured to releasably connect to a mating contact at a mating interface for establishing a conductive path across the mating interface, the electrical contact defining a channel therein that extends from an opening along an outer surface of the electrical contact; a sensing element disposed at least partially outside of the channel and operably connected to the channel through the opening , characterised in that : (i) the sensing element is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature; (ii) the thermal sensing system further comprises at least one position sensor spaced apart from the electrical contact and configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature; and (iii) the thermal sensing system , further comprises a working material within the channel of the electrical contact , the working material having a temperature-dependent expansive property, wherein the working material forces the sensing element to move in a direction away from the channel in response to the temperature increase within the channel . (i) the sensing element is configured to move relative to the electrical contact from a first position to a second position based on a temperature increase within the channel that exceeds a designated threshold temperature; (ii) the thermal sensing system further comprises at least one position sensor spaced apart from the electrical contact and configured to detect a position change of the sensing element from the first position to the second position, indicating that the temperature within the channel exceeds the designated threshold temperature; and (iii) the thermal sensing system , further comprises a working material within the channel of the electrical contact , the working material having a temperature-dependent expansive property, wherein the working material forces the sensing element to move in a direction away from the channel in response to the <EOS>