Clean/Refurbish Oxidized Electrical Plug Prongs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 06:40:50 am
content: Hello,I have steam iron and it's hard to connect its electrical plug to wall socket. It appears to have tainted due to oxidation but there is no corrosion. I was looking for a home DIY solution to refurbish prongs. Read mixed recommendations that sanding paper might do the job but needs to be high grade of grits to not cause damage to plating. Also pitting was mentioned that can appear on prongs which sandpaper should take care of. I have 800 grits so it will probably not be a good fit. I don't think there is pitting on my plug prongs. I have IPA 99% though and 70% rubbing alcohol. Wonder if both will help.There's Deoxit electrical contact cleaner which boasts to be better than other cleaners because it cleans oxides and sulfides. I have none of electrical cleaners either way.

author: ebastler
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 07:00:38 am
content: Since a steam iron draws some serious current, I would not mess around with the old plug, but replace it with a new one.Whatever you could do to the old contacts, they would be prone to oxidize again, probably worse and more quickly than before. And you don't want a high contact resistance for this kind of load: The contacts will run hot, oxidize even more, run even hotter, causing the contatcs in your power outlet to run hot and oxidize as well... creating a real hazard.It is also possible that the contacts have run hot because of a bad connection between the plug contacts and the cable; replacing the plug will fix that as well. Please be sure to make a proper connection there, using crimped end sleeves on the wires!The discoloring of the contacts which you describe suggests that they have already run quite hot. It would be a good idea to also check (and possibly replace) the power outlet which you use for the iron. Depending on how comfortable you feel around mains power, and what your local regulations are, this might be a job for a licensed electrician though.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 07:50:15 am
content: Quote from: ebastler on June 10, 2022, 07:00:38 amIt seems that earth is pitted too?

author: AndyBeez
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 11:54:18 am
content: Your plug is SCRAP.As @eblaster states, it is unsafe due the the high resistance across the contacts. Buy a new one. I too recommend replacing the wall socket as this is likely to be corroded and an electrical safety FAIL.

author: Stray Electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 12:15:24 pm
content: I don't know what country you're in, or where your iron was made but I've noticed over the past 20 to 30 years that many of the blades on the AC power plugs on appliances sold in the US (most made in a country who's name starts with a "C") have been getting thinner and thinner. On some of the appliances that I have, the plug won't even stay in the socket any longer! The blades on a lot of older us made power pugs were made from a folded over piece of metal that was spring loaded to press outward and they always made good contact. The blades on the newer power plugs are just a single piece of thin stamped out sheet metal. On a high current device such as this you should check your plug and the socket to be sure that blades are a good snug fit and that they have GOOD contact between the blades and their sockets.

author: Ranayna
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 01:00:53 pm
content: Since the earth connections are affected as well, i would assume that this has not been caused by an overload or high temperature. Whatever plating was used for that plug did likely not play well with your local climate. Are you close to the sea? Are other plugs you use similarly affected?I second the opinion of the majority here: Replace that plug, and also check the socket.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 09:54:13 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on June 10, 2022, 12:15:24 pmThey’re in Israel (the little flag next to a username tells you the country they’ve set), and they already posted a photo of the plug, so none of that is relevant.With that said:Quote from: Stray Electron on June 10, 2022, 12:15:24 pmIMHO you’ve got it all backwards as far as your conclusions go. If a plug falls out, it’s because the receptacle is worn out and should be replaced immediately. (Use a commercial-grade receptacle if you want it to grip tighter for longer.) The bent brass sheet metal plugs are the worst of the worst, easy to bend out of shape. I don’t think it was ever part of the design for the plug to be springy. The solid prongs are much better. But regardless, if a socket won’t grip ALL plugs you insert, it’s worn out and needs to be replaced — a loose socket is a fire hazard.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 12:40:25 pm
content: Quote from: Stray Electron on June 10, 2022, 12:15:24 pmCan't believe manufacturers are cutting costs where personal safety is at stake. Regulations must be introduced to prohibit this.Quote from: Ranayna on June 10, 2022, 01:00:53 pmI bought this steam iron in EU long time ago. I live in humid conditions in the middle east. Electrical plugs from other appliances purchased locally seem to hold up well.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 12:47:40 pm
content: Quote from: Boris_yo on June 11, 2022, 12:40:25 pmFor what it’s worth I do not believe that this is happening. It does not agree whatsoever with my experience. (FYI, I am American and visit regularly, pandemics notwithstanding.) If anything, the lousy old-style plugs made of folded sheet brass have been little by little disappearing in favor of much better solid plugs. As I told him, if plugs are not holding tight, it’s because the receptacle is worn out and must be replaced at once.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 01:11:52 pm
content: Quote from: tooki on June 11, 2022, 12:47:40 pmThat is my experience as well living with these plugs for 30+ years. Most of the plugs that are really weak (the folded brass ones) are quite rare these days.IME plugs can have quite varying lifespans, especially in humid climates.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 02:41:13 pm
content: Not sure where I would find proper plug with double braided nylon cord. I have a few from desktop computer lying around but all have black shielding and not double braided nylon shielding. We call these electric kettle cables here.I also noticed there is a spark every time I disconnect the plug from wall outlet.Is lubrication of prongs an option? I would apply let it dry overnight to form coating that would reduce mechanical resistance?

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 03:36:59 pm
content: The cord for an iron should be cotton-wrapped rubber. Not nylon, not PVC. The point is that it’s made of materials that can come 8th direct contact with the hot iron without melting. Nylon melts.You can buy proper iron cords from an electrical supplier.(Note that a true kettle cord is different from a standard IEC cord, in that the cable itself may not be totally heat resistant, but the plug on the kettle side is.)Do not try and fix this corroded plug. It is a fire hazard. Either replace the entire cord assembly, or at minimum cut off the plug and install a new plug.There exist special contact greases for electrical use. Do not, under any circumstances, use silicone grease (it burns into an abrasive, which means any arcing would cause abrasives to form), and you wouldn’t want anything flammable, so just buy something made specifically for use withliveelectrical contacts. However, arcing is what happens when you plug/unplug under load. So switch off your load. I’ve never seen an iron that doesn’t have a power switch or temperature control that lets you switch it off completely. Do that before plugging or unplugging. Not that the arcing has anything to do with the corrosion you experienced.

author: BrokenYugo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 06:09:05 pm
content: Cut it off and install a new one, if you clean that up the plating will be gone and it will corrode again.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 06:13:21 pm
content: Don't use an abrasive, use some metal polish and a rag, that will clean oxidation and crud off of most metals, I've used it to good effect on all sorts of stuff. You can buy it in supermarkets and hardware stores.

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2022, 07:59:56 am
content: Quote from: james_s on June 11, 2022, 06:13:21 pmWhich reminds me how someone recommended I rub metal polish onto my toaster oven's housing which although appears to have it's body made of stainless steel, managed to get rusty spots. Sounds like 201 grade to me... Another reason for me to buy metal polish.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2022, 12:07:28 pm
content: That's not an Israeli plug. Replace it with the correct plug, you don't have PE connection with your European plug and an Israeli socket.

author: modz786
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2022, 08:27:11 pm
content: The best mains plug in the world is the classic UK 3 pin fused. Now I moved to Greece every plug has been cut and replaced as have the sockets.

author: WA1ICI
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2022, 10:04:55 pm
content: It looks like the OP's plug has been in a corrosive environment. I have recently been testing old radio tubes from the 1930s, and some had similar corrosion on the pins, which are nickel-plated brass. I've found that by soaking the pins in common "white vinegar" (dilute acetic acid) for around 15 minutes, then rinsing with distilled water, the corrosion wipes right off. In the case of the power plug, I would soak it in distilled water to get rid of all traces of acid, then thoroughly dry it.- John Atwood

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2022, 04:55:15 am
content: dude go to the hardware store and splice on a new plug, I restored a few but then I ended up replacing them because you don't know what is happening upstream. I found a cord once that had corrosion going upstream for quite a bit down the wire (like feet) and then I stopped messing around with small savings on big risks. Every time I stripped more cable I found more corrosionthat is scrap, even giligans island should be wary of that and treat it paranoid

author: Boris_yo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2022, 04:01:48 am
content: Quote from: coppercone2 on June 17, 2022, 04:55:15 amMaybe I am Gilligan? I am an adventurous type to the extent of taking risks and often breaking something. Help me.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2022, 04:21:44 am
content: the point is it could get hot and melt insulation and leave exposed conductor or get hot and damage the outlet and make it unsafe, or get hot and short out and possibly damage the wiring (I hope you don't restore circuit breakers) it seems foolish to gamble with such an object, things are supposed to be safe to unplug and safe for the house wiring.. it seems like a really bad idea to pursue this, and there is always the risk of fire, that cord is always the last line of defense and they teach people to unplug it (say the iron is involved with a electrical fire), if you happen to have insulation damage on the cord when you rush to unplug it so you can put out the fire, bad things will happen.I am sure there are more disastrous possibilities, but its better just to buy a new plug and wire it properly. Maybe I should have said "flight of the phoenix' where you are certain to die unless you attempt it.

author: ejeffrey
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2022, 04:26:50 am
content: Quote from: tooki on June 11, 2022, 12:47:40 pmThis. If you are really concerned about the plug measure it with calipers: the blades should be 1.5 mm. But even if it's a bit thinner it should work. The outlet is responsible for the spring force and they don't last forever, especially cheap ones.

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2022, 04:29:44 am
content: Quote from: ejeffrey on June 21, 2022, 04:26:50 amand loose fitting crap is going to get arc damage and get higher and higher resistance, if you have a loose outlet or loose cord, replace it. It's not self cleaning either, whatever the scraping action is worth. Mains interconnects are just bad news to have anything non standard. That's when electricity gets unsafe, it should be proper.