Main Light Switch Cleaning

[Gargo]

What lubrication should I use on final assembly?
I've just spent a short time dismantling and cleaning the main light switch.


Then a long time getting it back together with everything positioned correctly to make the contacts, contact at the correct orientation. I harked back to my Design for Manufacture and Assembly days; which was about designing in only one way to correctly assemble.

Anyway what lubrication should I use on final assembly?
There seems to be an array of Electrical Contact Grease, I've found FOTU 571 Electrical Grease, is it OK?

I'm a little confused as some contact greases are conductive and some isolating, I guess I don't want conductive.....

 

[Demetris]

What lubrication should I use on final assembly?
I'm a little confused as some contact greases are conductive and some isolating, I guess I don't want conductive.....

My guess is conductive, but used obviously sparingly.
As there will always be thin a layer of the stuff between contacts, i can't see how the isolating grease could help.
I have used conductive grease in the past, but in simpler switches, like horn, indicators, and high - low beam.

 

[GRTV8]

I did my ignition switch last year. 50yrs of crud stopped it intermittently once too often. I did the final clean/lube with CRC electrical contact lube.

 

[Gargo]

A bit more reading and searching, it seems that only the mechanics of a switch should be lubricated and the contacts should be kept dry.
A big problem when searching is 'electric switch' always gives me results about high voltage overhead mains line switches....

From what I can see, if lubricating the contacts is needed, dielectric (non-conductive) grease should be used; the pressure between the contacts push the grease away and creates the contact, not the grease.

I think I'll just try some thick dielectric over the pivot points and indenting ball bearings.

I did my ignition switch last year. 50yrs of crud stopped it intermittently once too often. I did the final clean/lube with CRC electrical contact lube.

I took a look at their website and nothing as simply named as 'electrical contact lube' could I find.... I think I'll not go to far wrong with one of their products. Thanks.