How To Use Electrical Contact Cleaners
Kal Kozomos
2 September 2020
Your home has a wide range of electrical components, conductors, electrical connectors, circuit breakers, controls, relays and sockets. All of these elements have various types of electrical connections: terminal, sliding, interlocking, fast-on, etc. The prolonged use of the electrical services of all these components can lead to deteriorated contacts which can then lead to malfunctioning. Most electrical controls are usually in boxes which can also be affected by various types of humidity and are therefore exposed to oxidation, dust and rusting.
Whenever you have an electrical problem, before calling an electrician you should make sure that the problem isn’t caused by contacts interrupting the service. Always be sure to turn off the power from the mains by disconnecting the main switch and turning off the meter. Please note that non-professionals are not authorised to carry out certain interventions except in emergencies, as they must be done by an authorised technician.
Things you will need
Insulated screwdriver
Tester
Step 1
Wall sockets and switches
If a socket or switch isn’t working properly, it must be disassembled and checked. Any disconnected cables must be reinserted and fixed into the relative terminal. If the switch is damaged it must be replaced. The terminals and electrical connectors can be treated with a spray of WD-40® Specialist® Fast Drying Contact Cleaner which eliminates various types of residue and condensation on electrical or electronic equipment, including delicate materials.
Step 2
Junction boxes
These boxes contain smaller or larger bunches of conductors connected with capnuts. If an electrical service (socket, light point, etc.) doesn’t work, first make sure that the problem isn’t coming from the electrical service itself, then trace it back to the conductors reaching the service from the junction box. Check that the terminals in question are properly connected: otherwise, loosen the affected terminals and then restore their connection by applying some WD-40® Electrical Contact Cleaner Spray which penetrates and cleans the contacts. You can also apply the product to all other connectors in the box.
Step 3
Main switches, circuit breakers, etc.
The removal and reassembly of these controls can be difficult so this step should be left to a professional electrician. With main switches and circuit breakers, simply try to observe the situation to detect any disconnections and apply WD-40® Electrical Contact Cleaner.
Step 4
Various types of electrical equipment
All household appliances, power tools, etc. also have electrical contacts. These connections are always inside the body of the appliance or the covers of the power tools. Therefore, reaching them for inspection and maintenance involves opening these containers. Before doing so, make sure that your actions won’t result in the loss of warranty coverage or compromise the integrity of the equipment. In this case, the intervention must again be entrusted to a qualified technician. All you can do is apply some of the above-mentioned WD-40 in order to avoid negative consequences.
Step 5
Electrical contacts on cars and motorcycles
These contacts are often exposed to contact with water and other problematic substances inside the engine. If your vehicle malfunctions, you can visually check and evaluate with a tester, reconnect any detachments and apply WD-40® Electrical Contact Cleaner, which penetrates the hardest to reach areas. The product restores electrical conductivity, eliminating the danger of short circuits. Its non-conductive formula rapidly evaporates. leaves no residue and is compatible with all metals, plastics and rubbers.
Now You Know How To Clean & Maintain Your Electrical Contacts
So, there you have it, a quick guide to restoring your electrical contacts. Always remember to switch all electrical components off before trying any of the steps above and if in doubt, call a professional electrician. To find out more about our WD-40® Specialist® Fast Drying Contact Cleaner, read our guide; Electrical Contact Cleaner FAQs.
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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