How To Replace Worn Out Electrical Contacts
Posted on: 31 October 2022
Electrical contacts are an essential part of metal devices that use electricity. The contact is used to complete or interrupt a circuit. They are able to carry higher loads than relays and are necessary with high-voltage fields. If you need to replace contacts for your device, it's important to purchase a replacement contact kit.
What Electrical Contacts are Made Of
The metal contacts used for electrical applications are usually made out of copper. They can also be made with both copper and silver or copper and a silver alloy. The silver is blended with other metals to make it more wear-resistant. However, they will eventually wear out.
How to Check for Worn Electrical Contacts
If you aren't sure if your equipment has worn electrical contacts, make sure to turn off the power beforehand so you can safely check the contacts for signs of wear and tear. Wear fire-resistant clothing and make sure to work in a clean environment.
Check the contacts to make sure that they are not contaminated, burnt, or worn out. For example, they should not be contaminated by any environmental substances.
The contact is held in place by a contact holder. Make sure that the contact holder is not out of alignment. Also, make sure that there are no signs of wear for the pads and that they are not pitting. If the padding has worn down to the point where it's less than half of its original surface, you'll want to replace the pads with new ones.
How to Replace Electrical Contacts
Contacts will eventually wear out. When this happens, they can be easily replaced using replacement contact kits. Kits are necessary because the contacts usually come in sets and each part of the set needs to be replaced.
For example, there are various springs and screws that you might need to replace. Contact tips and pads sometimes need to be replaced, especially with AC units. Wear can occur because of sticking or welding.
Where to Find Discontinued Electrical Contacts
Fortunately, the right type of contact kit will allow you to service any type of device. However, you will want to make sure that the manufacturer has not discontinued a particular electrical control series.
However, there might be a third-party vendor that sells contacts that will work perfectly with your device. If you're not sure if this is the case, make sure to contact a vendor and explain the needs of your business.
For more information about replacement contact kits, reach out to a local supplier.
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