A long life for electrical connectors
Electrical connectors are a very broad and specific category in the sector, so it is essential that the functionality, performance and durability of the component are certified and guaranteed over time.
For this to occur, each electrical connector must be protected by a specific lubricant, designed and built to meet specific needs.
In particular, the chosen lubricant must:- Protect from oxidation
- Prevent wear from fretting corrosion
- Improve sliding in switches
- Reduce the coupling force of the connectors in a wide range of use
We know this may seem hard to believe, as a lubricating fluid is effectively an insulator, but we assure you that if you use a specific lubricant, you will not only improve the life of your electrical connector but also its performance.
Electrical connector: how to increase its life
An electrical connector is subject to a series of disturbances which over time, lead to a slow and progressive increase in contact resistances, with consequent losses in signal transmission efficiency.
In fact, during its continuous operation, an electrical connector is constantly subject to:
- Humidity
- Direct contact with water
- Abrasive wear from insertion
- Oxidation
- Corrosion
- Contact wear (fretting)
- Thermal changes
As you can easily guess, in order not only to protect your component from damage but to extend its life and efficiency, it is necessary to have a lubricant suitable for use and for the external factors that influence it the most. In this way, an external barrier is created that can protect the electrical connector from dust, humidity, water, and so on, whilst also improving its performance by protecting from oxidation and corrosion.
Electrical connector: dispelling myths
There are some false beliefs about electrical connectors and their relationship to lubricants, which it is right to analyse in detail and debunk.
1 - The lubricant interferes with conductivity
It is not the lubricant that attracts dirt but the magnetic field. If the contaminating dust sticks to the lubricant layer, it does not mean that it is attracting it but simply that it is doing its job. Without the protection of the lubricant, the metal would oxidize much faster.
2 - The lubricant does not prevent corrosion
Yes, people come up with the most random ideas - including this one! As we have clearly specified in the article, this statement is absolutely untrue since, without the protection of the lubricant, the component is absolutely more susceptible to corrosion. Its function, in fact, is to "seal" the connector from oxygen, humidity, aggressive gases and all other potentially-harmful elements.
3 - The lubricant does not improve insertion force
This couldn't be more wrong - a thin lubricating layer can certainly reduce the insertion force of the component, even by up to 80%. And there's more: in extreme cases, where the connections are difficult to reach, the reduction of the insertion force ensures a correct and effective arrangement of the electrical connector.
