If the resistance fell in between, then it would be quite important to not allow any grease to bridge the gap between adjacent pins of connectors. But this doesn't fit with how some manufacturers show how to use it. For another answer, take the resistivity shown on the first technical data sheet to pop up on my browser, 4.5x10^(13) ohm-cm: https://www.solar-electric.com/lib/wind-sun/dielectricspecs.pdf ... translate that to ohm-meter (getting 4.5x10^(15) ohm-m), then compare to the listing of resistivities of various conductors, insulators, and things in between: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_resistivity_and_conductivity#Resistivity_and_conductivity_of_various_materials This particular brand of dielectric grease falls squarely at the insulator end of the spectrum. Electrical conduction at the contacts depends on direct metal-to-metal contact.
AND all of those "references" are talking about a specific kind of connection which makes a scraping or cutting motion when put together......OR the actually recommend putting it only on the OUTSIDE of the assembly and not on the conducting surfaces. None of that changes the basic fact that dielectric grease is an INSULATOR and one needs to use some care and common sense when using it. Something that you seem to have a particular lack of most of the time.
Yes you are absolutely wrong. It is an insulator. If it was at all conductive it would make an effective short between pins in a multi-pin connector.
It depends on what KIND of connection is being made. You can get away with that on some kinds of connectors in some kinds of equipment but it is not the proper general rule to apply. I have been an Electronics Engineering Technician for a bit over 50 years, part of that a Bell Labs, and I know how to read and understand English. I also know that some people who are well trained and educated often think they know things that they don't really.
Sam last trotted out that claim about the specific kind of the connections back on May 10, 2021. From that post to the end of that thread can be seen a lot more good, sourced information, including direct tests conducted both by mr_guy_mann and by me, further attention to what the references do say compared to what Sam thinks they say, etc., so it might be unnecessary to rehash that all again in this thread. Definitely something to keep in mind.
OP jumping back for a moment.... So, just because, actually, one wire is solid the other is multistrand. So, I still don't twist them together? Just align them and twist on the wire nut? Think I am leaving out the grease.
whenever i've hung a light fixture, they have always had stranded wire. and of course, the incoming romex is solid. they provide wire nuts with the fixtures (knowing what the connection will be i assume) anyways, in 40 years, i've never had a problem. just line them up, slip on the nut and twist until tight.
Thanks, Bisco. I guess I should have searched some, and I did try with the dielectric grease, but it doesn't take much to confuse me on some topics, hence the dunce cap!
Definitely leave out the grease. In all my years as an electrician, I've never encountered it when removing thousands of wire nuts, nor have I seen it used. As for the mismatched wires, I prefer to kind of give the stranded wire a twist around the solid one and leave a little of the stranded wire (very little) extending beyond the end of the solid wire. It makes it more likely that the wire nut will grab both wires on the first try. Feel free to experiment and see what's easier for you. Just be sure to test that both/all wires are tightly secured.
^ Just replaced a hallway lamp for my beloved CFO in like manner and I can report that this method works flawlessly. I also will put the slightest hint of the slightest bend on the end of the solid wire to ensure that it will engage with the threads of the wire nut. Since I disobeyed the first law of government employment (always screw up your first assignment so that they will leave you alone!) I am routinely tasked by family and friends to install ceiling fans and lights, and since I live on free soil, I do not have to worry with getting permission from local government, pulling permits and waiting for an electrical inspector. I left my tube of dielectric grease in the garage.
Old enough to know how to do almost everything but not yet decrepit enough to say "no." The main use for dielectric grease in my experience is lubing electrical connections that move. Such as disconnects.
Right. If you can pull either wire out of the wire nut easily, take the nut off and try again, because it wasn't a good connection
