Whats So Special About Dielectric Grease?

Trump

Joined
Feb 29, 2016
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184
Location
New York
I just use regular grease when electric terminals corrode. On my many years old snowblower with a 120v starter, the two prongs on the machine itself became so rough I couldnt get the extension cord on. I gave them a shot of white lithium grease from a spray can about ten years ago. Theyre good to go to this day with that one shot.

What will dielectric grease do that the white lithium wont? :confused:

Thanks!
 
There was an excellent explanation of DG vs regular grease in a recent Motorcycle Consumer News. Basically, DG is an insulator. Pack a multi pin connector with the stuff and the grease does what it is supposed to do - exclude air and moisture from the connections without conducting electricity from one connection to the next. The male and female pins have tolerances close enough that the grease is scraped off when one is inserted into the other yielding metal to metal contact. I am not sure if white lithium grease will conduct electricity, but it will behave the same for a single pin connector as DG. If it is conductive, packing a multi pin connector (I am thinking of one of Honda's 2, 4, 9 or whatever pin connectors) could lead to electricity flow through the grease from one conductor (wire) to another. If this happened, you might have electrical problems (ultimately that would depend on the resistance of the grease).
 
Trump said:
I just use regular grease when electric terminals corrode. On my many years old snowblower with a 120v starter, the two prongs on the machine itself became so rough I couldnt get the extension cord on. I gave them a shot of white lithium grease from a spray can about ten years ago. Theyre good to go to this day with that one shot.

What will dielectric grease do that the white lithium wont? :confused:

Thanks!
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I'm not an expert, so don't kill the messenger. I did some "google-ing" on the subject and found a interesting article that I have put into PDF for your reading. It includes the website link. I could not find the authors name.

The short answer is, it depends......
 

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  • Dielectric Grease vs Conductive Grease.pdf
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Arcing within a power connector is due to either the long term effect of corrosion, causing a loose connection....or.....a poor fit between the components. I always check for contact area between mating conductors when I inspect a connector. Dielectric spray works great, so does de grease...which you should probably consider on power connectors with the likelihood of moisture exposure.
 
d.e. grease does not improve a connection, neither will it repair one. it does work rather well to exclude water from a connection...grease does this too, but most greases will absorb water slowly. and being petro based it'll degrade the plastic and or rubber products used in/around connectors.
 
the_gr8t_waldo said:
d.e. grease does not improve a connection, neither will it repair one. it does work rather well to exclude water from a connection
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agree;

have seen problems with connectors due to having been 'packed' with dielectric grease.
 
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Are all greases non-conductive? I know some calks will conduct.
 
Ron said:
Are all greases non-conductive? I know some calks will conduct.
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No. Only dielectric greases are designed to be electrically nonconductive. Many other greases do not conduct electricity, but some do - depends on additives to the grease base. And, as waldo said above, (post 5), greases may absorb water (I assume soap based greases will do this). Then you can be conductive, depending on what the water dissolves in the grease. (I'm not a chemist or grease specialist - just an electrician who is curious about a lot of things).
 
Exactly as stated. DG is non conductive. Good mechanical connection is paramount on any electrical connection. Grease should not be applied where the connection doesn't allow for wiping the grease away like battery terminal. Sockets and pin connectors will wipe it away to provide connection. As stated above.

Now. What is the grease for? oxygen!!! Keep the oxygen away. You keep the corrosion away! Water contains oxygen molecules also!
 
Is dielectric grease a good idea for USB connectors? I've only used it on bulbs and such, but have had some issues with Phone chargers and GPS connections. Maybe a little dab will help keep some moisture out?
 
kendoo said:
Is dielectric grease a good idea for USB connectors? I've only used it on bulbs and such, but have had some issues with Phone chargers and GPS connections. Maybe a little dab will help keep some moisture out?
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You can try it. USB is 5VDC. With that said. The lower the voltage the more critical good connection is made without the grease. Try spraying some electronic wash or cleaner in the socket. I've had issues with USB connectors also! Usually ended up replacing entire connector!
 
kendoo said:
Is dielectric grease a good idea for USB connectors? I've only used it on bulbs and such, but have had some issues with Phone chargers and GPS connections. Maybe a little dab will help keep some moisture out?
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Sounds to me like a bad idea. My USB connectors slide together without much resistance - so there is not much scraping action to clean the metal parts to give good metal to metal contact. Any DG left on the surfaces will insulate - giving you a bad connection. Since USB is only 5 v, the DG might do more harm than good.
 
typically.. any thing that's powered from a mini usb plug, doesn't have much in the way of power requirements. I would use the d.e. grease. and keep it packed with that grease
 
Big Al said:
Silicone grease or DG will keep moisture out but, will attract dirt like crazy
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I only use dielectric grease on connectors with a demonstrated propensity to corrode. Since they are already problem children, they also get cleaned and inspected frequently. Replacing them with new is an even better idea.
 
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