Hi Guys,
A question regarding protecting the chassis earth point from corrosion.
A class I electronic device in a steel chassis (in this case an amplifier) must have the steel chassis connected to the centre earth pin in an IEC socket.
This also requires the chassis earth point to be bare metal with star washers etc.
Given that this point requires a bare steel connection is it plausible to protect this point from corrosion?
Is this even worth worrying about?
Could one perhaps spray a clear coat over the top of the earth connection once firmly in place?
A question regarding protecting the chassis earth point from corrosion.
A class I electronic device in a steel chassis (in this case an amplifier) must have the steel chassis connected to the centre earth pin in an IEC socket.
This also requires the chassis earth point to be bare metal with star washers etc.
Given that this point requires a bare steel connection is it plausible to protect this point from corrosion?
Is this even worth worrying about?
Could one perhaps spray a clear coat over the top of the earth connection once firmly in place?
Your post seems to have escaped the attention of the expert amplifier builders!
I would think that the star washers will bite into the steel surface and exclude the moisture that promotes corrosion.
However, I can see no harm in spraying on a protective varnish.
Perhaps the experts will now chime in!
I would think that the star washers will bite into the steel surface and exclude the moisture that promotes corrosion.
However, I can see no harm in spraying on a protective varnish.
Perhaps the experts will now chime in!
So long as the chassis, bolt, star-washer and crimp tag are all steel corrosion theoretically shouldn't be a problem - no electrolytic action is possible - however if the RH gets high enough for condensation you will always get corrosion and every electrical part needs conformal coating as its basically exposed to weather 🙂 Most domestic electronic devices are not rated for operation in such an environment - ie in a shed / outhouse, and you seldom see conformal coatings for consumer electronics as they are expected to operate in a dry (heated) environment (washing machines are an exception).
So unless you are putting the device in a basement/shed/etc I wouldn't worry about corrosion, just make sure the connection is sound and to code (for instance properly crimped connecters are normally specified, soldered is not OK).
One further point most steel chassis are not bare steel, they have passivated surfaces specifically to reduce susceptibility to corrosion - do not abrade this away around the connection as this will increase the chance of rusting around the connection.
Aluminium on the other hand is passivated naturally by a thin oxide layer or through anodizing - the latter is a thick insulating layer and must be abraded away to make a good connection, unlike for steel.
So unless you are putting the device in a basement/shed/etc I wouldn't worry about corrosion, just make sure the connection is sound and to code (for instance properly crimped connecters are normally specified, soldered is not OK).
One further point most steel chassis are not bare steel, they have passivated surfaces specifically to reduce susceptibility to corrosion - do not abrade this away around the connection as this will increase the chance of rusting around the connection.
Aluminium on the other hand is passivated naturally by a thin oxide layer or through anodizing - the latter is a thick insulating layer and must be abraded away to make a good connection, unlike for steel.