How to stop this type of corrosion (elec stuff outside)?

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Hi, the picture below is a 16 year old PIR. It's to be replaced due to the corrosion on the 4 electrical connections.

Is there any way to prevent such corrosion as it happens on all my outdoor IP rated electrical stuff. I thought about grease but worried it would melt and short etc. Is there a solution such a spray that can be used that will prevent this corrosion? tia

(PS it doesn't get wet, it's under a porch roof but is subject to damp air etc)

[sherman]

WD40?

[JoshSm]

sherman said:

WD40?

Nasty stuff, don't even think about. Or anything else based on a petroleum product.

A silicone grease is usually neutral, waterproof, dielectric and high melting point so try that. Only on top though, don't put it into the connection brfore assembly/tightening.

Edited by JoshSm on Sunday 28th June 23:03

[sherman]

JoshSm said:

sherman said:

WD40?

Nasty stuff, don't even think about. Or anything else based on a petroleum product.

A silicone grease is usually neutral, waterproof, dielectric and high melting point so try that. Only on top though, don't put it into the connection brfore assembly/tightening.

Edited by JoshSm on Sunday 28th June 23:03

Not evdn for the big FO spider on the right?

[JoshSm]

sherman said:

Not evdn for the big FO spider on the right?

Looks like just the dead skin. If worried pull out the wires and give it a jolt.

[thebraketester]

Replace as is. Assess again in another 16 years.

[hidetheelephants]

Outdoor fittings eventually go like that, especially cheap ones; nominally they're called waterproof but that doesn't mean much, typically water vapour gets in over time, the generally not very good sealing lets it in but won't let it out due thermal expansion and contraction as the light is switched on and off, eventually forming a sauna and corroding any metal components. 16 years is a good innings though for something that probably didn't cost very much. Spraying the metal bits with ACF50 or perhaps some bicycle chain spray wax would fend off corrosion.

[jimmyjimjim]

Dielectric grease. Specifically for this sort of issue. Non-conductive silicon, essentially.

[normalbloke]

ACF50.

[Scarletpimpofnel]

All good advice, many thanks. Dielectric grease looks to be the answer, ty.