dielectric grease

Dielectric greaseDielectric grease is electrically insulating and does not break down when high voltage is applied. It is often applied to electrical connectors, particularly those containing rubber gaskets, as a means of lubricating and sealing rubber portions of the connector without arcing.
A common use of dielectric grease is in high-voltage connections associated with gasoline engine spark plugs. The grease is applied to the rubber boot of the plug wire. This helps the rubber boot slide onto the ceramic insulator of the plug. The grease also acts to seal the rubber boot, while at the same time preventing the rubber from becoming stuck to the ceramic. Generally spark plugs are located in areas of high temperature, and the grease is formulated to withstand the temperature range expected. It can be applied to the actual contact as well, because the contact pressure is sufficient to penetrate the grease. Doing so on such high pressure contact surfaces has the advantage of sealing the contact area against corrosion.
Another common use of dielectric grease is on the rubber mating surfaces or gaskets of multi-pin electrical connectors used in automotive and marine engines. The grease again acts as a lubricant and a sealant on the nonconductive mating surfaces of the connector. It is not recommended to be applied to the actual electrical conductive contacts of the connector because it could interfere with the electrical signals passing through the connector in cases where the contact pressure is very low. Products designed as electronic connector lubricants, on the other hand, should be applied to such connector contacts and can dramatically extend their useful life. Polyphenyl Ether, rather than silicone grease, is the active ingredient in some such connector lubricants.

 

Dialectric by definition does not conduct electricity. A couple of possibilities come to mind. The grease was applied while moisture was in the system thus trapping the moisture. Or, a conductive grease was used by accident instead of dialectric.

Good luck.

RR

 

We have someone in our outfit that has learned a new trick; rather than a light coat of dielectric grease, he/she/it has been using the same crap in the trailer electrical socket that comes out of a grease gun. I hope they stop before the mechanics find them.

Years back, after losing patience with constant moisture problems in the Celect ECM connectors, i packed all three of them with dielectric grease; never had a problem since. Just lucky?

 

Crisco the kind you cook with does a great job and is non conductive.

 

I use Vaseline on my wire connectors and terminals when I run out of DG.

With chassis grease the oil separates and all you have left is gobs of wax which may absorb moisture.

 

i just use a lil wd on anything
worked well on the boats for 38 years
with all the salt
and eventually evaporates

 

Trucklite makes a grease specifically for wiring harnesses. Works great. I believe they developed it after the move to liquid de-icers (calcium chloride).

 

i have a 25 gal can of dilectic grease a friend gave me. he works for the local electric company. i just fill a siringe from tractor supply and inject it into the boot that goes on the back of the 7 way plugs.