What is Dielectric Grease? Dielectric Grease Uses Explained

Last Updated on March 1, 2021 by John Patterson

From changing a new bulb to enjoying an adventurous ride – a dielectric grease is an essential tool that you want to keep in your storeroom. Dielectric grease is silicone-based grease that helps to inhibit different types of corrosion.

Sometimes, corrosions can lower the voltage that may result in damaging other devices. Dielectric grease is mainly applied in electronic connections to prevent air and water from getting into the metal.

Keeping the water out helps to stop short-circuits and other unusual events. The following content is going to cover all the basic and necessary information you need to know about dielectric grease.

What is Dielectric Grease?

Dielectric grease is silicon-based grease that helps to protect any electrical connection of your home, car, or office. It is a greasy gel that maintains its consistency throughout time. By that, it helps to prevent moisture from getting in and protects the connection point from corrosion.

As this seals the port, it also keeps the connection out of the water, air, dirt, and other kinds of elements. We know, bare metal causes oxidation by reacting with the oxygen in the air. As oxidation is less conductive than the metal itself, it reduces the flow of electricity.

In a wet environment, oxidation can build up in the presence of excess water and metal. It can decrease the voltage of other electronic devices that will damage them. In extreme cases, it can cause extreme heat that may result in short-circuit, melting of plastic, and even fire!

Dielectric Grease Uses

There are numerous useful applications of dielectric grease. Some of them are:

• It is mainly used in preventing spark by putting it into the ceramic container.
• It prevents foreign object’s entry inside the cable. In general, people use dielectric grease in a situation that involves electrical components like wires, processors, or ports that have the chance of coming in contact with moisture.
• Dielectric grease is usually used on non-metal computer chips like rubber and plastic coating, though it can work as a lid on different metallic surfaces.

The most ideal use of this is on plastic and rubber cover connected with computer chips, microprocessors, and other parts of the computer.

• People use this as a safety measure because it reduces the chance of catastrophic fire or accident. This usually comes in a tube, and it has a similar kind of thickness to jelly. As it can maintain its consistency, people use it on different electronic terminals.
• Sometimes, because of heavy use, the electronic connections of the devices tend to lose. It helps the cable and the terminal stay at a steady point. Moreover, because of loose connections, air and water can go inside of the cable that may cause a short-circuit.
• By using grease on the terminal point, anyone can save their electronic connection from the damage of oxidation. This oxidation sometimes causes the failure of connection and damage of the electronic items. The grease dislocates oxygen, and because of that, oxidation can’t take place.
• People use it on the headlights, engines, bulb connections, and many other places. Dielectric grease is also good for slide calipers, rings, plugs, and guide pins.

However, as this is silicone-based grease, it is suggested not to use it on plastics as it will break them over time. Moreover, it should not be kept in direct connection with electricity.

What is Silicon Dielectric Grease Used for?

There is another type of dielectric grease that is known as silicone grease or silicone dielectric grease. It is waterproof grease that is prepared by coalescing silicone oil with the use of an appropriate amount of thickener.

Generally, polydimethylsiloxane is used in silicone oil, and the thickener is amorphous fumed silica.

Silicon dielectric grease is a non-curing silicone compound that is also applied to cover and protect electrical equipment and connectors by working as an insulator. As the grease is waterproof, it prevents the entry of moisture and other contaminants into the electrical connections.

General uses of silicone dielectric grease are:

• It is heavily used in different chemical laboratories, industries.
• It is also a useful product for regular customers. This is environment-friendly and impervious to water, natural gases, different chemicals, ultraviolet rays, and high temperatures. That’s why the application of silicone dielectric grease lasts longer.
• This grease is widely used to aid the installation process and to keep electronic connections away from moisture.
• One can use silicone dielectric grease to the channel of the ignition coil to prevent sparks and short-circuits. The reason is basically because of heavy and repeated uses, the ignition coils of engines get cracked up.

However, this is not a permanent way to fix this problem. One should change or repair the entire coil to ensure the safety of their life and devices.

Final Words

So, now we know that dielectric grease is applied to the non-metallic or metallic parts of any electronic connection. It will not only work as a shield to the terminal point but also it will protect the electronic device from short-circuit or any kind of damage.

Also, it protects the connection between contagion and corrosion. By cutting off the electronic flow, grease will maintain the safety of the connection. One can use this grease on any electronic connections ranging from headlights to the ignition coil.

However, it is always recommended to contact your local auto mechanic workshop to ensure the top-notch and safe maintenance of your car.

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