Could electrical part react with chemical?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the safety and potential reactions of placing chemicals inside a home electrical appliance, particularly in a closed area. Participants express concerns about the risks associated with electrical components interacting with chemicals, including the release of gases and the possibility of fire or electrical shock.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the possibility of electrical parts reacting with chemicals, particularly regarding sparks causing fires or electrical shocks.
  • Another participant questions the safety of the chemical in question, noting that the original poster has not specified what the chemical is.
  • A participant warns against the risks of using contact cleaners in electrical components, sharing a personal experience of damage caused by chemical reactions.
  • There is a suggestion that the release of smell from the chemical could indicate corrosiveness, referencing a saying among chemists.
  • One participant requests a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the chemical to provide informed advice.
  • Another participant expresses skepticism about pouring an unspecified chemical into an unspecified appliance based on online advice.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the safety of placing chemicals inside electrical appliances. Multiple concerns and viewpoints are presented, indicating a lack of agreement on the risks involved.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the absence of specific information about the chemical in question, which affects the ability to assess its safety. The discussion also highlights the need for proper documentation, such as an MSDS, to evaluate potential hazards.

kenny1999
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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?
 
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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 ?
 
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That sounds risky. I would not try it even if someone on the forums told you it's okay.
 
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Chemist version of "If it bleeds, it can be killed." is "If it smells, it is corrosive.".
 
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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
 
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