When should dielectric grease be used? What is dielectric grease? Why should you care?
Talk to lubrication experts or specialists who work on electronic systems and you’ll get a dozen confusing answers. Here are five common questions about dielectric grease and their answers.
- What is dielectric grease?
Dielectric grease is a silicone-based, non-hardening grease used in electrical connectors to lubricate the pins and keep moisture, dust and contaminants from getting inside the connector. - How does dielectric grease work?
Electrical connectors treated with non-conductive dielectric grease easily conduct electricity through their pins because spring tension or tight clearance between male and female pins displaces the grease and creates metal-to-metal contact. - What are the benefits of dielectric grease?
Older electrical connectors that have been consistently treated with dielectric grease might actually conduct electricity better than “dry” pins in connectors of the same age because corrosion or surface oxidation is greatly reduced. - What can I use if I don’t have dielectric grease?
Silicone-based synthetic grease is a viable substitute for dielectric grease. - Can I use Vaseline instead of dielectric grease?
Conventional petroleum-based grease (i.e. Vaseline) is NOT a substitute for dielectric grease. The petroleum base can attack the rubber, polymer or silicone-based seals of electric connectors and cause major problems with moisture and dust intrusion.
NOTE: Silicone sealant is not the same as silicon-based dielectric grease or silicone-based synthetic grease. I know this because a young mechanic I was mentoring thought “silicone is silicone,” and used silicone sealant to “lubricate” several main connectors on a large wiring harness on a planter. It was an important learning experience for the young man.
