Could electrical part react with chemical?

Click For Summary
Using chemicals inside a closed home electrical appliance poses significant risks, particularly if the chemicals can release gases or odors. Concerns include potential reactions between electrical components and the chemicals, which could lead to fire hazards or electrical shock. The discussion emphasizes the importance of knowing the specific chemical involved and consulting its Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for safety information. Participants caution against experimenting with unspecified chemicals and highlight the potential for damaging the appliance. Overall, safety should be the primary concern when considering such actions.
kenny1999
Messages
235
Reaction score
5
I have need to put some chemicals INSIDE a home electrical appliance which is a closed area. I am thinking and worried that if electrical parts could react with chemical and cause problems? The only
possibility I can think of is if the spark from electrical appliances could react with flammable or explosive chemical and cause serious fire or electrical shock.

However, I am pretty sure that the chemical isn't flammable or explosive at all, but it would slowly release smell (thus gases?) within a closed space, is it still safe?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
kenny1999 said:
However, I am pretty sure that the chemical isn't flammable or explosive at all, but it would slowly release smell (thus gases?)
How would we know, you haven't told us what the chemical is ?
 
  • Like
Likes Vanadium 50 and DaveE
That sounds risky. I would not try it even if someone on the forums told you it's okay.
 
  • Like
Likes Vanadium 50
Chemist version of "If it bleeds, it can be killed." is "If it smells, it is corrosive.".
 
  • Like
Likes Bystander, berkeman, Vanadium 50 and 1 other person
kenny1999 said:
I have need to put some chemicals INSIDE a home electrical appliance which is a closed area. I am thinking and worried that if electrical parts could react with chemical and cause problems?

Just want to remind, do not inject too much contact (switch) cleaner into the stereo jack socket, because it may dissolve the soldering flux residue around the PCB mounted switch, making the switch inoperable. The chemical reaction of the cleaner may also damage the LCD screen. Last time my portable music player worth about US $2,000 was scrapped for this reason :frown:
 
Last edited:
kenny1999 said:
I have need to put some chemicals INSIDE a home electrical appliance which is a closed area. I am thinking and worried that if electrical parts could react with chemical and cause problems? The only
possibility I can think of is if the spark from electrical appliances could react with flammable or explosive chemical and cause serious fire or electrical shock.

However, I am pretty sure that the chemical isn't flammable or explosive at all, but it would slowly release smell (thus gases?) within a closed space, is it still safe?
Please give us a link to the MSDS for this chemical. We need that before we can offer any help. You do know what an MSDS is, right?
 
kenny1999 said:
However, I am pretty sure that the chemical isn't flammable or explosive at all, but it would slowly release smell (thus gases?) within a closed space, is it still safe?
Bug repellent?
Could you please spare us from the guesswork?
 
Pouring an unspecified chemical into an unspecified appliance based on asking a few people on the internet?

A possible outcome for Kenny is

1604769184956.png
 
  • Like
Likes Bystander

Similar threads

  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
6K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
6K
Replies
0
Views
476
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
7K