Why use di-electric grease on electrical connections?

[jimbo231]

I was looking for a grease to put on some electrical connections and was reccomended di-electric grease. If it doesn't conduct electricity, won't it prevent a good connection?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Dilectic grease seals out moisture preventing corrosion of the connectors. It has nothing to do with the conduction of electricity.

 

[jimbo231]

Dilectic grease seals out moisture preventing corrosion of the connectors. It has nothing to do with the conduction of electricity.

Won't it prevent the transfer of electricity between the contacts then.

 

[deernet]

No. The connections will already be making contact, thus conductive. The dielectric grease just prevents corrosion.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Exactly- just like when putting it on the spark plug boots... Just some corrosion insurance.

 

[Carguy3J]

Won't it prevent the transfer of electricity between the contacts then.

No. The connections will already be making contact, thus conductive. The dielectric grease just prevents corrosion.

Exactly- just like when putting it on the spark plug boots... Just some corrosion insurance.

I've often wondered this myself. I get the whole corrosion prevention thing, and I sure hate having to pull off non-lubed plug wires, but I still don't understand how it wouldn't decrease electrical contact.
If you use it on, say, a plug/connector of some kind, or even the plug wire boots, it doesn't just go around the connection to seal it. The "non-conductive" grease gets on an inside the connection itself (on the end of the spark plug, in the "pins" of a connector. Doesn't this then form a "film" of some sort between the two metal "halves" of the connection, reducing, at least a little, the "contact" between them. If so, wouldn't this introduce at least a little bit of exra resistance into the circuit, and reduce, at least a little, the electrical flow??????? :scratch:

 

[budwich]

I think the "non-conductive" properties are more associated with "full conductivity" as in "wire-like". You wouldn't want a "connector grease" to display "wire like conductivity" which would more than likely cause shorts and "other nasties" (ie. electrycution). You want something that has some "break down" when applied in "thin amounts" between plates of metal (ie. contacts) but is basically non-conductive unto itself (ie. doesn't act like a wire).