Used dieelectric grease on power adapter connector

mesenteria wrote:I don't believe it's a good idea to use dielectric grease on small pins because it can migrate outward and across receptacles and pins....hard short, and "poof", you'll see the magic smoke come out of your CPAP. I could be wrong, but I would not chance it...personally

mesenteria wrote:For single-point terminals and connections, such a spark plugs (where one plug and one wire are involved, plus the ground to the block), dielectric makes perfect sense. For multiple pin connectors in close proximity, such as those on our CPAP hoses with heaters, etc...I really don't think it's a good idea.

I think you're confusing dielectric grease with conductive grease. Totally different. The reason to use dielectric grease in multi pin connectors is that it will not short across terminals. However, I wouldn't mess with the connectors unless there was a problem.

Okay, I said I might be incorrect, and I believe I was mistaken. However, reading up on dielectric grease a bit more (because if I'm mistaken, I'd like to learn something, and all I can about the topic) seems to reveal that using the grease in small terminal contacts might be counterproductive, and precisely BECAUSE it is non-conductive. It's slight coverage, thin and displaced though it may mostly be when the metals are brought together, will minimize the true metal-to-metal contact that the engineers designing the contacts intended. In fairness, that might also apply to the ATF I was suggesting. So...how about a contact cleaner, usually in a spray. Or, use a pencil eraser....they have been used successfully to clean electrical contact surfaces for years.

In any case, we return full circle to the OP's problem of sticky or hard-to-insert connections, and I am now wondering why...or what was causing the problem for him/her. Was it oxidation, crud, some other build-up, maybe corrosion? Pet dander?

Basically, they aren't meant to be plugged in and out over and over, that wears the connection out causing poor contact and overheating and burning. Add a little ATF, more fuel for the fire.

If you must remove the power cord, unplug it from the outlet before you remove it from the XPAP, that will cut down on spikes and arcing on the pins. Jim

mesenteria wrote:I don't believe it's a good idea to use dielectric grease on small pins because it can migrate outward and across receptacles and pins....hard short, and "poof",

dialectric = insulator.

palerider wrote:

mesenteria wrote:I don't believe it's a good idea to use dielectric grease on small pins because it can migrate outward and across receptacles and pins....hard short, and "poof",

dialectric = insulator.

Wait until they use heatsink compound instead. Jim