[TenTec] Contact Lubricants and Cleaners

[Lee Berman]

Fellow Amateurs,

I've been reading with interest all the folk remedies recently posted for noisy or intermittent contacts in Amateur Radio and other communications equipment.  If you'll indulge me for a few minutes, I'll attempt to prevent some serious mistakes in this area.

Simply stated:  Never never use any product containing silicone on any electromechanical interface - switches, relays, wipers, rollers, etc. 

 Silicone in any concentration is a definite no-no!
  
The immediate improvements noted through use of cheap "contact lubricants", WD-40 and the like will disappear quickly and the problem will return worse than before.

Read labels on contact cleaners and lubricants carefully and/or contact the manufacturer directly to assure no silicone.

There are products out there that use polyphenyl ethers with or without microcrystalline waxes specifically formulated for signal contacts to use on your noisy contacts, which will not promote the accumulation of abrasive and insulating films on the contacting surfaces.

They are available in brush-on liquids, sprays, and individually packaged wipes.  I don't endorse any particular manufacturer of these products, but know that NYE Corp. and Miller-Stephenson are a couple of sources for safe contact cleaners and lubricants.

These preparations are good for pin-and-socket connectors, Crystal Sockets, Headphone and Microphone plugs, Cable connectors - you name it.

I have been working in the field of contact physics for switch, and connector, data communications, and computer peripheral manufacturers for nearly thirty years and am sure of my knowledge in the contact interface arena.

I hope this helps those on this reflector.

'73,
Lee Berman W1IDZ
-- 
"Live Long and Prosper" -Spock-
"Live Long, Prosper, and Die Broke" -Berman-



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