Selecting the right cleaning product might be far from the only essential part of the maintenance process when it comes to electrical systems, but it is certainly not an aspect to be overlooked or underestimated.
Maintenance teams can be well-served when they choose an appropriate electrical cleaner from RS for such a task. However, these personnel can’t depend on every electrical cleaner they look at being suitable for every application.
This article will therefore outline some of the most important factors for maintenance staff to weigh up as they seek to determine the best possible cleaner for the job.
What Needs to Be Removed
The first step is to identify the specific type of contamination that needs to be removed. After all, electrical and electronic components can become contaminated with any of a broad range of substances, encompassing the likes of dust, dirt, grease, oil, flux residues, moisture, fingerprints, and other organic contamination.
Different formulations are typically suited to different cleaning requirements. Characteristics can vary considerably across such types of electrical cleaners as precision cleaners, contact cleaners, and degreasers.
It cannot be presumed, then, that a given product being labelled an “electrical cleaner” means it will be the right choice for every electrical cleaning task.
The Materials in Need of Being Cleaned
A piece of electrical equipment typically consists of various materials. These will likely go beyond conductive metal contacts, also potentially including the likes of plastics, rubbers, insulation materials, coatings, and adhesives.
Whatever cleaner is ultimately chosen, it will need to be compatible with these materials. Many electronic and contact cleaners are specifically formulated to be suitable for particular plastics or electronic applications.
However, such suitability should never be just assumed. Care must be taken to always check the product’s technical information, in addition to (where appropriate) testing compatibility on a suitable sample or non-critical area first.
Whether The Cleaner Leaves a Residue
Despite some perceptions to the contrary, it isn’t automatically the case that residue is undesirable when cleaning electrical components. Indeed, some specialist products may be formulated for particular purposes where a controlled residue or protective effect is intentional.
In many cases, though, such as when contacts and connectors need to be cleaned, there can be concern about the risk of deposits interfering with electrical performance. For such applications, the best-suited cleaner is likely to be one that evaporates rapidly and leaves little or no residue.
The important “takeaway” here is to match the cleaning characteristics with the application, as opposed to assuming one cleaning product will be suitable for every component.
The Drying Time
The selection of an electric cleaning product can also be influenced by the speed at which it dries. Certainly, a fast-drying cleaner may be desirable in situations where the equipment needs to be returned to service relatively quickly.
However, there can be some scenarios in which a slower-drying product becomes the more suitable choice. A cleaner that evaporates extremely quickly might not provide sufficient working time for particularly stubborn contamination.
As with the other entries in this list, it is worth reiterating that the product selected should be well-matched to the specifics of the given application.
How The Cleaner Will Be Applied
Electrical cleaners also differ in terms of the formats in which they can be purchased. From a practical perspective, different formats tend to suit different cleaning tasks.
If, for instance, solvent will need to be directed into or across awkward areas, an aerosol cleaner might make the greatest sense.
Alternatively, for applications necessitating precise control over where the product goes, pump sprays or liquid products may be the best ones to pick.
Electrical Safety Requirements
Before maintenance is carried out, electrical equipment should be made safe and electrical supplies isolated where appropriate.
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that most maintenance should be carried out with the power off, and that electrical and other power supplies should be isolated prior to maintenance commencing.
Whatever cleaning product a maintenance staffer is considering, looking at the product’s safety data sheet (SDS) will give them vital insights into such aspects as flammability, ventilation, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other precautions.
Remember To Select the Right Cleaner for The Given Application
There is no single “best” cleaner for every maintenance task. In reaching their decision, then, relevant personnel will need to think about such aspects as the component to be cleaned, the contamination, the materials involved, and the required cleaning method.
Taking the necessary time and care at this stage will go a long way to ensuring the most informed choice of electrical cleaning product is made, as part of a well-designed controlled preventative maintenance programme.
