

| Subject: | Re: Correct use of Dielectric grease? |
| From: | Jonathan Farrugia |
| Date: | Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:22:06 -0400 |
dielectric grease is used in layman's terms to prevent dielectric corrosion. that is corrosion between two dissimilar metals that have different voltages of reduction (that is a physic/chemistry term). when dissimilar metals have different reduction voltages one can oxidize the other, oxidation is what is commonly referred to as corrosion. in addition to oxidation by other metals oxidation can occur from other atomic elements such as chlorine as is the case with salt compounds. if oxygen is excluded from the metals by the use of a coating whether that be paint or grease no oxidation can occur. that is why dielectric grease is used. okay onto the part of the question that asked about electrical connections being hindered by the grease. all electrical connections rely on physical contact ie pressure to work. the 'best' electrical connection in simple terms could be thought of as a bolted connection. that connection type gives very high pressures, most hight voltage stuff is of the bolted connection type. a bolted connection is not always practical in economic or physical terms. another method of electrical connection is a spring type connection. if you have ever been in a circuit breaker box that doesn't use screw and the breakers just pop in it is because a spring finger type connection system is being used. push type connectors used in the vanagon system are of the same spring design. lets take the case of a normal 1/4" male and female blade connector. the male part is of a fixed dimension. the female part is constructed from a spring type material. when you push the two together the female part made of spring material expands over the male blade. the connection here is made metal to metal with the pressure provided by the spring. the spring is the sole clamping force for this connection. if you have adequate force by design at your connection it will be strong enough to displace any grease and the metal to metal connection will be made. spring connectors are subject to problems when exposed to high heat. this is why it is bad to reuse connections that have been overheated electrically. the heating changes the springyness of the connector and thus the clamping force of the connection is reduced. this often can lead to a poor/loose connection and arcing at the connection site. those are my thoughts for what they are worth please take them as a starting point for your further research. jonathan
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