How are silver electrical contacts valuable? How to clean them?

In our daily lives, we use different electrical appliances. We operate them through a switch. Generally, we pay little attention to the workings of it. But with an electrical issue, we immediately become curious. To understand how appliances work, we should know what makes them work.

Most of our switches have silver electrical contacts. They are round, screw-like objects made up of silver. These objects are usually attached to your switchboards. They operate through a secondary, low-voltage power source. This allows them to complete or interrupt circuits. As a result, the appliances function smoothly. There are many ways through which these contacts are useful to us:

Electrical conductivity

An electrical contact’s conductivity matters. It determines how well it resists or conducts electricity. Silver electrical contacts have the highest conductivity. This is because silver is an excellent conductor. It facilitates a consistent flow of electricity to your switches. 

Corrosion-resistant

Chemically induced corrosions are common amongst electrical contacts. This affects your appliance’s performance over time. But that is not the concern with silver electrical contacts. Silver is a corrosion-resistant metal. This means that it does not oxidise quickly. 

Durability 

An essential aspect of your electrical contacts is their durability. It significantly impacts the appliance’s performance. Silver is a highly durable metal. It endures harsh conditions. This makes it the best choice for your electrical contacts. 

Cost-effective

Silver electrical contacts are highly cost-effective. Unlike gold contacts, they are cheaper and do not burn a hole in your pocket. This is primarily why a precious metal manufacturer recommends them. 

Current load

The more current load your electrical contacts take, the better. It helps your switchboards function longer. Silver electrical contacts are designed to take high current loads. They help your appliances operate for prolonged periods.

How to clean them?

Often, your electrical contacts catch dust. When humid, they may also corrode. This affects its operational performance and safety.  Ideally, your operator should clean the electrical contacts. However, by using a few household items, you can DIY:

Step 1: Carefully disassemble the switch. Then, disconnect the primary power source. This is to ensure your safety.

Step 2: Spot the electrical contacts. 

Step 3: Using a clean cloth, wipe off the dust or loose corrosion. Remember, do not use dirty clothes. This damages your switchboard. 

Step 4: If you spot any corrosion, use a Q tip. Dip it in some distilled white vinegar. Use it to wipe off the corrosion gently.

Step 5:  Ensure that there is no dust or corrosion left. Then, wipe off the excess vinegar gently. 

Step 6: Reassemble the switchboard and switch on the power source.

To ensure that your silver electrical contacts are correctly functioning, get them checked regularly. If need be, get them replaced by your operator.

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Created on Jan 4th 2022 09:00. Viewed 158 times.

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