Can using dielectric grease simplify the process of making seating for the 12VHPWR connection?
Can using dielectric grease simplify the process of making seating for the 12VHPWR connection?
On the pins or in the plastic? Neither would be a good choice. It could cause insulation issues, raising temperatures or damaging the materials (solvents breaking down plastic or corroding metal).
On the plastic, silicon dielectric grease is fully compatible with nylon. The issue likely lies in the housing's fit, which complicates full insertion. Larry
Dielectric grease is a silicone-based, non-conductive lubricant that remains chemically inert, ensuring it won’t react with or harm rubber, plastic, or metal. It functions as an insulator, safeguarding electrical connectors from moisture, corrosion, and contaminants without affecting metal-to-metal conductivity. Whether you apply it to the connector’s exterior or accidentally touch the pins, it should pose no issues. It shouldn’t trigger any complications, and I’m confident no manufacturer would initiate a return if it helped make plug insertion smoother.
On the other hand, using it can make installation easier, but you must ensure it’s fully seated to prevent vibration-related problems later.
Dielectric grease has been around since the 1930s, developed by Corning, and has been applied to virtually all electronics—both those you can and cannot imagine—and there have never been any reported issues. It’s essentially foolproof. Of course, some people may disagree, debating things like the sun’s position or Earth’s shape, but that doesn’t change its reliability.
I get it. However, things that are currently inert or not reacting might change soon. Just words to keep in mind. But yes, I’d be concerned about burnout and could face issues with grease stuck in connectors.
Well, you definitely wouldn't want to deliberately place it at the end of the PSU cable. But a very light touch on the outer plastic surface of the connector won’t cause any damage—it can easily be wiped away later if necessary. And even if something so severe as to prevent removal occurs, I’m pretty sure there would still be no leftover dielectric grease to notice.
Moreover, it has been used on every type of rubber, plastic, and metal ever employed in electronics since the 1930s. I truly doubt they’ll suddenly start producing PSU cables or graphics card power sockets from materials that aren’t available or don’t exist anymore, especially if such a change would affect today’s hardware.
In automotive and HD equipment sectors, we typically use connector ends to press together the components. These connections handle currents comparable to those in NVIDIAs top products. It's acceptable, though it can become messy as the silicone oil may seep out of the carrier material when temperatures rise. While not intended to happen, it does occur. As you mentioned, it's acceptable to apply a small amount to help secure the connection. In fact, this step should be included in the process because the lubricant reduces wear on the pins during installation, addressing a major design challenge.
I understand. With over 35 years in the field, I completely agree. Because they're both 12v systems, it's quite similar. Still, I'd prefer not to connect it directly to the connector in this case.