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Contact Lubrication • Extends switch life • Improves signal quality • Reduces operating temperature • Controls switch ‘feel’ • Prevents contamination • Silicone free Contact lubricants increase the reliability and lifetime of allcurrent carrying metal interfaces. These include switches,
connectors and busbars.Electrolube have been the leading supplier of contactlubricants since their invention by the founder HenryKingsbury in the 1950s.A wide range of products are available covering allcommon applications, whilst a programme of continualdevelopment provides speciality products for ever-
changing customer needs.Manufactured as tenacious greases and oils, products areavailable for consistent operation at extremes oftemperature and with sensitive plastics that are normallyattacked by traditional lubricants.The use of a suitable contact lubricant will solve theproblems of wear, poor signal quality, inconsistent
operation and allow the use of less expensive materials.The choice of lubricant can also allow the ‘feel’characteristics of the switch to be optimised. Benefits of Contact Lubrication Contact lubricants are specially formulated greases and
oils that reduce friction and enhance the electrical
performance of current carrying metal interfaces inswitches and connectors. Electrolube products areelectrically insulative in thick industrial films, preventing tracking. In
ultra thin films, i.e. between closed metal contacts, theyallow consistent current flow, owing to the ‘QuantumTunnelling Effect’. They also exhibit a neutral pH, thereby
avoiding surface corrosion.Tests have shown that contact lubrication can extend thelifetime of switches by more than 300%, producing
excellent performance under all circumstances andpreventing the need for expensive maintenance. Contactlubricants also help to improve the reputation of
manufacturers by reducing or preventing warranty claimsand the associated commercial costs of product recalls.The effectiveness of even perfectly designed switches canbe improved by contact lubricants and, when consideredat design stage, significant production cost savings can
be achieved by the use of less expensive materials (bothplastics and contact metals). Typical Application The range of applications is vast and can includeeverything from PC edge connectors to switches in
industrial washing machines, kettles, hair industrial dryers and electric
blankets. Contact lubricants will bring significant benefitsto any application where switches and contacts arefundamental to successful, long term operations.The use of contact lubricants is widely spread in theautomotive industry, where they are employed to ensure
reliability, safety, efficiency and to control the ‘feel’ ofswitches.These lubricants are also used in electric motors and for electroplating. They are available for low currentapplications as well as traditional switch currents. 17
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