Sadly they don't seem to want to give us an open explanation. General consensus amongst the mods seems to be, if you have a query... ask!
Personally if I were a moderator, I would much rather quote which rule had been broken and be done with it once, than have a dozen or so irrate people pm'ing me about the same subject.
It begs you to wonder if things are always as cut and dried as they make them out to be.
I would also have a 'time out' symbol for those that choose to take a break, as I feel that the word 'ban' does not represent what is happening half the time. I do wonder if some of these people are having the time out suggested to them, or if it is their individual decision?
So... more speculation from me, as I too know nothing!