Hallo,
A little question about the sticky white substance they (manufacturers) use to hold connectors together. What is this? Can i use silicon from the DIY-shop?

 

if what you mean is the grease between a heatsink and a processor or power transistor, that substance should be the silicon grease, which was there to help increase the thermal conduction between those two surfaces.

 

There is a conductive lubricant that is sometimes used on connectors (mainly automotive), that keep the pins from corroding and prevent intermittent connections. It is not a glue or paste for holding the connectors together.

 

Further, the silicone glues that smell like vinegar will corrode the metallic connector pins.

 

Do you mean that milky glue? If so, I think it is hot melt glue, the same kind you get in glue gun from DIY shop.

 

"Connectors" don't typically use silicon, as silicon is resistive. Do you refer to an antioxidant compound between connectors of dissimilar metal? Or is your "connector" actually a mechanical thermal bond?

 

so, there is this conductive lubricant. can you please tell me more about it, nomurphy? thanks a lot.

 

Hi,

I have never seen any "conductive lubricant" used on connectors and that would be risky in most instances.
Different lubes are used for keeping oxygen from corroding the metals.
If you wanna burn money, look at what eg. 3M has to offer, but if you just want to protect something which is not above the lower radio spectrum, Vaseline will do a decent job.

Btw. The "Acid based RTV corrodes electrical contacts" is an often heard statement, but so far I have been unable to recreate it, so I tend to dismiss it as myth. Anyone with scientificially sound evidence sustaining the corroding theory, please put out
Even if the acid was more aggressive than in RTV (which is hardly felt if left on the skin while working with it), the contact in contact with the "acid" is still hermetically sealed by the RTV, i.e. no oxygen for the process.

The real bad thing about acid based RTV is the stench, but alco based RTV does not exactly smell like roses either.

Just don't use the stuff with fungicide added if you're gonna chew on your connectors for some strange reason.

 

I have never seen any "conductive lubricant" used on connectors and that would be risky in most instances.

It is not risky at all, and is quite common. It is required by code in many applications. "Lubricant" is a misnomer, of course. The goop is formulated to reduce galvanic action and oxidation. "No-Ox-Id" is one brand name.

 

Hi,

It is not risky at all, and is quite common. It is required by code in many applications. "Lubricant" is a misnomer, of course. The goop is formulated to reduce galvanic action and oxidation. "No-Ox-Id" is one brand name.

I think you misread me?
None of the oxide-retarder lubes I have seen have been conductive and I still think it would be risky to eg. smear something conductive into eg. a tight tolerance rotary switch - wouldn't take long before it was totally shorted.

Did you ever try to measure conductivity of that No-Ox-Id stuff?

 

the "glue" is most likely that found/used inside TV sets to hold things down and/or in place. most definitely is a good dielectric. my guess is its some sort of urethane compound.

 

Hi,


I think you misread me?
None of the oxide-retarder lubes I have seen have been conductive and I still think it would be risky to eg. smear something conductive into eg. a tight tolerance rotary switch - wouldn't take long before it was totally shorted.

Did you ever try to measure conductivity of that No-Ox-Id stuff?

No. Why would I waste my time with such measurement? If the inspector does not see any oxide-proofing squeezing out from the connections, he or she red-tags the installation.

Also, I don't understand how "connector" becomes "rotary switch." Clearly we are speaking of different things.

 

Hi,

No. Why would I waste my time with such measurement?

Perhaps to get a clear picture of its magnitude of conductivity (if any).
Personally, I wouldn't like to drive a car if I didn't understand its inner workings.

Also, I don't understand how "connector" becomes "rotary switch." Clearly we are speaking of different things.

Nah, just ment as an example. It would be just as bad if it was a connector shunting out and "contact grease" is used in both connectors and contacts.

 

http://www.sanchem.com/aSpecialE.html

But go ahead and do without it - if you feel oxidation is better than reliable operation.

 

I have never seen any "conductive lubricant" used on connectors....

Of course it's conductive. What would be the purpose of coating connector pin-pairs with an insulating material, and how would that improve connection reliability (other than by creating a permanent non-connection)?

...and that would be risky in most instances.

It is meant to be used carefully, it's not gorilla snot. And, it's not meant for cleaning such as spraying electrical cleaner into a pot, switch, or TV tuner. However, if you had slip-on wires to the pot or switch connections, instead of solder, you may want a conductive grease on each of the wire connectors.

So, there is this conductive lubricant. Can you please tell me more about it, nomurphy? thanks a lot.

See link above from thingmaker3, it is one of many types out there.