Galvanic Corrosion Electrical Work

[pc1966]

Most crimp lugs are copper with a tin plating. If used on galvanised steel anywhere corrosion is likely (wet/damp, especially in salty or industrial locations) then put a thin smear of Vaseline between them before assembly and you won't see any issues.

 

[Mikegh]

What's the idea behind putting Vaseline between them ?
Would it not be around them ?

 

[pc1966]

What's the idea behind putting Vaseline between them ?
Would it not be around them ?

You could put it all around an assembled joint, but if you apply first and then assemble you get it filling all of the tiny cracks and surface imperfections to keep the moisture out. The worst corrosion tends to be closest to the metal-metal joint where they differ, so by making sure that is covered at a microscopic level you get better protection.

Covering with any sort of grease, or even a spray with WD40, etc, afterwards will help keep moisture off. It is the flow of ions within any moisture that is responsible for the effect, hence why it is far worse if the moisture has salt (near sea) or chlorine (near swimming pool), etc, dissolved in it.

 

[pc1966]

To be fair, chlorine will eat away at most things without any other help!

 

[freddo]

To be fair, chlorine will eat away at most things without any other help!

Swimming pool plant rooms are a nightmare!

 

[pc1966]

Swimming pool plant rooms are a nightmare!

It is probably the most corrosive thing you are likely to encounter outside of an industrial process site. There are far, far, worse reagents out there, but they are rare. In fact, some chemists have even blogged about stuff they would chose not to work with:

Science | AAAS

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