Community Forums

Jim · 10-25-2007, 03:14 PM

hi..you can see a discussion of dielectric lubricant in the product evaluation section of this website..jim

igor2brvn · 11-04-2007, 05:58 PM

As a registered professional electical engineer with over 35 years industrial experience, I can assure you that the best approach to electrical connections that are designed and built correctly is to keep them clean, tight and dry! "Keep" implies a regular check of connections to clean, tighten, and dry them. When you do this properly, dielectric lube, axle grease, vaseline, et. al. is unnecessary. Leave it off - just MHO.

Gamecockfan · 11-08-2007, 04:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WaveMaker:
I have a Question??

would wd40 be ok or would it do the same??

Dean </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

WD is non conductive I'm pretty sure so that isn't good. Any electrical connection should be clean "metal on metal" with one exception. If the connections are between differnet types of metal, ie copper and aluminum, you should go to an electrical supply house and pick up a product called "Ox Gard" or "Noalox" to name two common brands. These products will prevent the connections from corroding from galvanic reactions resulting from different metals in contact with each other as well as from moisture.

bigfish · 11-09-2007, 04:01 PM

When assembling electrical connections, CU to CU is best if it is cleaned, dry & secure. When assembling CU to AL or AL to AL connections, an oxidation inhibiter is required unless the connectors are rated AL/CU. Usually the AL/CU rating is stamped/stenciled on the connector along with AWG wire size or wire size range. The reason for the inhibiter is that an aluminum surface is oxidized and will start oxidizing again as soon as the surface is scratched and exposed to oxegen. This surface oxidation will create resistance in the connection and over time will generate heat and destroy the connectors. A joint compound such as Noalox would serve to eliminate this problem. After the connections are made whether AL/CU, AL/AL or CU/CU, it is not unreasonable to use a battery connection corrosion preventer/protector (Wally World, NAPA, etc) and spray the terminal connections to protect the connections from the hydrogen gas generated by wet cell type batteries. Would not use WD-40, axel grease or anything else that is likley to attract/collect dust & dirt.
BTF