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Author Topic: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)  (Read 1081 times)

w3526602

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Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« on: October 22, 2021, 05:10:01 AM »

Hi,

This is prompted by Nomish's reply of "USE GREASE" in the Copper Pipe discussion.

Barbara's invalid buggy needs a daily top-up of "Fluence", which means plugging into the domestic mains ... small round connector, similar diameter to my index finger, with three pins.  Plugging both in, and out, was an effort when new.

I demanded Barbara contacted her favourite on-line shop, and ordered a tube of electrical contact grease. There was a short "domestic" discussion about the cost ... about £7 for a medium size tube, but I persevered.

Tube duly arrived, and I used one "dib" with a match-stick to transfer grease to all three pins. Henceforth, the plug and socket just glided together, until recently. But another dib of grease cured that. I reckon, at the current rate of usage, that tube of grease will last a couple of life-times.

Going ON TOPIC now ....

I read about this grease in a caravan forum, which reminded me that I'd used it when making Wheatstone Bridges, before I joined the RAF.

The caravan interest is in lubing, and protecting, 7-pin connectors, ie - trailer electric connectors. I'd guess battery clamps would also benefit.

The grease provides lubrication, protection, and conductivity. Vaseline will perform the first two functions, but I'm not sure about the third.

OK, the cost per tube is high, but a tube will last for ever.

602
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ChrisJC

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #1 on: October 22, 2021, 07:31:31 AM »

I am not convinced that these greases provide conductivity. The action of sliding the contacts together will push the grease out of the way and give metal to metal contact.

The properties of lubrication and water exclusion should be sufficient.

Chris.
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Wittsend

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #2 on: October 22, 2021, 02:35:32 PM »

People mistakenly believe copper grease will conduct electricity - It won't  :shakeinghead

You need a service aerosol spray cleaner for contact, such as sold by RS Components or Farnells.
Then treat the contacts to a specialist grease/water repellant ... or Vaseline if you have nothing else.

 :-\
Remember - this isn't a once-in-a-life-time treatment, you need to regularly clean and re-grease the contacts.
Maintenance ... Maintenance ... Maintenance

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Who's a then ?
 

Genem

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #3 on: October 22, 2021, 04:56:40 PM »

Only Entropy requires no Maintenance.
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richardhula

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #4 on: October 22, 2021, 09:33:59 PM »

I am not convinced that these greases provide conductivity. The action of sliding the contacts together will push the grease out of the way and give metal to metal contact.

The properties of lubrication and water exclusion should be sufficient.

Chris.
By preventing corrosion dielectric grease will as a secondary effect maintain conductivity. Use it on horn slip rings as well.
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w3526602

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #5 on: October 23, 2021, 05:59:16 AM »

Hi,

I don't have the knowledge to argue, but it works for me. I would be tempted to argue that petroleum jelly, by any other name, would act as an insulator.

602
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oilstain

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #6 on: October 23, 2021, 12:29:49 PM »

Some years ago I read in the caravan club magazine not to use WD40 or anything like that as it made the plactic around the pins/sockets go soft and the pins/sockets can then move and cause a short or even a fire :agh
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ChrisJC

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Re: Electric plug and socket grease (like for trailer plugs)
« Reply #7 on: October 23, 2021, 01:41:52 PM »

Hi,

I don't have the knowledge to argue, but it works for me. I would be tempted to argue that petroleum jelly, by any other name, would act as an insulator.

602

It is. But it is displaced by the wiping action of the contacts as the connectors are inserted, thus a good contact is made.

Chris.
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