Do power outlets wear out

[Kimo]

My BPT power strip has been in service for over 10 years.  Everything works fine, but I don't know if 10+ years of service would mandate replacement of the Arrow Hart outlets.  Easily done.  Maybe an upgrade?

 

Any thoughts, opinions?  I guess I could just pop some new ones in but I am kind of a lazy guy.

[Kal Rubinson]

Since this is, from what I gather, a completely passive strip, there is nothing to wear out or upgrade.   If your environment is smokey or humid, it is possible that there may be some contact issues but this is easily dealt with by an off-line session of unplugging/replugging to clean the contacts.

[MarcelNL]

or, unplug, clean contacts with some isopropylalcohol and plug back in, just unplugging and repluggng will not degrease and get rid of muc crud.

 

 

[Kimo]

2 hours ago, MarcelNL said:

or, unplug, clean contacts with some isopropylalcohol and plug back in, just unplugging and repluggng will not degrease and get rid of muc crud.

 

 

I have been doing the plug/unplug thing pretty regularly.  So, I was a bit surprised to find that an alcohol cleaning removed so much gunk.  Sound improved a bit too.  Probably, way overdue.

 

Thanks guys.

[Gilles]

I saw these sticks, by Oyaide, but have not tried and never read comments on them.
https://www.audiohobby.eu/en/for-headphoneearphone/14710-oyaide-cleaning-stick-for-electric-ul-outlet-ac-iec-plug-set6-pcs-cleaning-stick-ec.html

[MarcelNL]

9 hours ago, Gilles said:

I saw these sticks, by Oyaide, but have not tried and never read comments on them.
https://www.audiohobby.eu/en/for-headphoneearphone/14710-oyaide-cleaning-stick-for-electric-ul-outlet-ac-iec-plug-set6-pcs-cleaning-stick-ec.html

the fact it mentions wax is a reason for me to not even consider using them.

[Gilles]

Makes sense,

[One and a half]

There are waxes that remove oxidation, like Meguiars Ultimate polish. Odd name, since that compound actively breaks down the top old polishes down to the original paint.

[MarcelNL]

8 hours ago, One and a half said:

There are waxes that remove oxidation, like Meguiars Ultimate polish. Odd name, since that compound actively breaks down the top old polishes down to the original paint.

a wax that removes oxidization is a polish IMHO, any polish that includes was, silicon or similar has no place in something that should conduct.

 

You'd be amazed how well Isopropylalcohol breaks down top coats on car paint. So much that I cleaned my car with it to prep for a ceramic coating.

 

[One and a half]

On 4/15/2024 at 4:05 AM, MarcelNL said:

a wax that removes oxidization is a polish IMHO, any polish that includes was, silicon or similar has no place in something that should conduct.

 

You'd be amazed how well Isopropylalcohol breaks down top coats on car paint. So much that I cleaned my car with it to prep for a ceramic coating.

 

Iso for car paint? By the time the dilution factor is worked out, I'll stick with the Meguiars. 

Iso is well.suited for metal connectors, although DEOXIT D5 is tough to beat.

[MarcelNL]

Iso works just fine, it;s what the detailer uses...on matte paint mequiars polish is no good as it would make the paint shine.

 

Deoxit has too many compounds for my liking, no way being sure it does not leave a residue. but it seems to be great stuff.

 

 

[davide256]

I have worn mechanical power strips out. If the socket contacts rely on metal tension only, they can be stretched too much by large after market IEC plug contacts so that other, smaller plug contacts are too loose for reliable connectivity