Cleaning Plated Electrical Contacts?
In article , Jim Yanik wrote:
(GregS) wrote in
:
In article , "JB"
wrote:
Silicone based products are really not a good thing, at least thats
what some say. However sometimes a silicone grease is used to
protect connections. Silicone sprays were common 30 years ago.
I don't recall any of the more common recommended sprays having
silicone. I see mixed recommendations of lubing relays.
Some say no, but I do.
greg
Silicone based cleaners leave a residue that protects against friction
but tends to insulate. You have to break through the film in order to
even have contact. I have found them useful for connectors that see
lots of use, such as Notebooks, but I usually have to wash them with
Isopropyl to remove most of what I put on.
There is no point in lubing relays. Any residue will increase the
likelihood of burning of the contacts. They should be cleaned and
burnished with a non-residue cleaner and as minimally abrasive tool as
possible. Bond paper strips will often suffice.
Isopropyl Alcohol at 90% or better is clean, leaves no residue, won't
harm most plastics and is the only recommended cleaner for many
switches and contacts. Do not use less than 90% as there will be risk
of moisture damage.
I kind of like using 70% rubbing alcohol sometimes, with
its small amount of mineral oil. Any % alcohol can cause
moisture problems, even 100%. The trick is to warm dry it.
Rubbing alcohol shouldn't have any mineral oil in it.
I prefer 90% isopropyl.It also absorbs any water or moisture.
The reason there is oil in some, its supposed to give oil
back to the skin after a rub down. After using alcohol on the skin its usually
very patchy looking removing the oils.
I didn't exactly point out, even using 100% alcohol on
things, and you will get water build up, after the alcohol
starts absorbing it, and dries, leaving water. Plus, 100%
is contaminated with drying agents.
greg
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