dielectric grease ?

[lizzyhermit]

what is the purpose/function of dielectric grease?

 

[Rammin On]

Doesn't conduct electricity ... basically an insulator

 

[WTBurke]

I use it all the time. With "clean terminals" adding this type of electronic greese will prevent moisture from entering the contact area and prevent corosion at the surface contact point. All the "weather-boot" type conectors in our well cared for trucks should be "packed" with the gooy-stuff before you reconnect. It's just good practice.



William

 

[lizzyhermit]

thanks, and now I'm more confused. If it doesn't conduct electricty then how can you use it on connections? I was thinking of my using it on trailer plug.

 

[WMeyers]

The grease keeps moisture out but when you insert a plug the grease is displaced and the connection is made in spite of the grease. If it did conduct electricty you could have a short through the grease when no plug is inserted.

 

[drawson]

Dieelectric grease was used to trasmit heater. It was used on both GM & Ford TFI ignition modules to the distributer housing to get rid of the heat the module created. It can be used as others have suggested but there are better things to use for those.

 

[WTBurke]

dielectric greese/Heat sink compound?

These two items are entirely different products. Dielectric greese is semi transparent and clean to use in many applications such as the start of this thread. Heat sink compound is a white greese like material, used between a solid state device's body and the metal to which it's bolted to in order to aid "sinking" or "transfer" of thermal energy. Used properly they are both wonderful products. The heat sink compound is very messy if you get some on your fingers you'll transfer it to every thing you touch..... icky!



I'm sure you'll find the use of dielectric greese a pleasure to use in all electronic "connection to connection" applications. A multi-plug trailer connection is an ideal application for this product.



It's very nice to smear a bit on your rubber door seals with a clean finger... it refreshes our silcon based seals very well. This is done sparingly... a little bit goes a long way



William