One of the reasons why electronic devices sometimes exhibit performance issues and other intermittent issues is because of the accumulation of dirt and grease on the electronic components. But you can get rid of them easily using electronics cleaners.

Electronics cleaners, or contact cleaners, is a solution that can help you remove contaminants from the surface of electronic contacts. Dirt buildup on these contacts can affect the conductivity of the contacts. This can lead to an overall increase in the signals that pass through the contacts and can lead to reduced performance. In most cases, you restore the device to its former glory simply by a thorough cleaning. In that case, using an electronics cleaning solution to wipe the surface of the electronics can be much more effective than just wiping with a microfibre cloth.

A beginners’ guide to electronic cleaners

The components inside electronic devices vary depending on the voltage of operation and its function. The components inside a keyboard are very different from a compact printed circuit board inside a smartphone. Therefore, the materials that they use also differ. Also, it is important to use the right cleaner on the right surface. Having a better understanding of contact cleaners can help you make the right choices when you are shopping for them. This article not only gives you a basic understanding of them but also gives you some tips that you can follow.

Contents of a contact cleaner

A good electronic cleaner should evaporate quickly without leaving any wetness or residue on the surface of the electronics. This is why the major ingredient of any electronics cleaner is just isopropyl alcohol. Along with isopropyl alcohol, it will also contain other solvents and also some lubricants. If you look at the label on a contact cleaner bottle, you will also find traces of other types of alcohol, HFCs, and a few other elements. There are also different preparations of contact cleaners for a variety of different equipment.

Contact cleaner’s vs Pure alcohol

As the main content any contact cleaner is alcohol, then wouldn’t it be better to just use pure alcohol instead of electronics cleaners? Wouldn’t it be much cheaper? Well, even though 100 per cent pure alcohol is a better solution for cleaning electronics, there are a few practical limitations. For one thing, 100 per cent pure alcohol is not cheap. In fact, it can cost you a lot more money than contact cleaners. Then there is the risk of fire. Pure alcohol is extremely flammable. Therefore, it will be costly for you to store a can of pure alcohol safely. Therefore, when you compare the cost and benefits of both, it is better to use a contact cleaner.

Benefits of using electronics cleaners

In order for electronic equipment to work efficiently, the electrical signals should pass through the printed circuit board seamlessly. Oxidation of the metal and presence of dust and grease on electrical contacts can interfere with electrical signals. It can also cause an increase in electrical resistance within those electrical contacts. This can not only affect the working of the device but also significantly reduce its life. The best strategy is to keep sensitive equipment away from those things. However, that is not always possible. The next best thing to do is to clean the devices regularly using electronic cleaners.

Removing oxidation and rust

Oxidation is one of the biggest enemies of electronics. Presences of rust can reduce the connection quality of the electrical contacts. Even though scrubbing off the rust is effective, it is not always safe to do so, especially when it comes to sensitive contacts. The ability to remove rust safely from the contacts is a big advantage of using electronics cleaners. When done correctly, you can clean the rust using a contact cleaner solution without damaging the contacts in any way. Furthermore, you can also use these solutions for cleaning the terminals of batteries and other metal surfaces as well.

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