Cleaning corroded electrical wires

When electrical wires are exposed to the elements for too long, the metal in the wires can corrode. Electrical wires are usually made of copper and are therefore susceptible to oxidation.

When connected to a battery, subsequent corrosion can take the form of acid leakage. The electrical wires appear coated with a white or greenish powder coating and lose their conductivity.

Be safe

When handling electrical wires, you must play it safe. Turn off the circuit breaker at the main electrical panel for the power line that supplies power to the area where you will be working.

Check with a current meter to make sure no current is flowing. Wear rubber gloves and safety glasses while working, as the corrosive residue can easily burn your skin or eyes.

Access to the electrical wires

Use a screwdriver to remove the cover of the outlet you are working on, or remove the cover of the electrical box. If you are working on an electrical box, you will need to remove the plastic cover to access the electrical wires.

Locate the screws and remove them all before removing the cover. You can tell if the electrical wires are corroded by the discoloration.

Cleaning the electrical wires

Run the wire brush over the electrical wires. Use as much force as necessary to avoid damaging the electrical wires. The purpose of the wire brush is to remove any corrosive materials that are on the electrical wires.

You should also use the wire brush on the contact point, as the corrosive material can spread much faster there. Mix a few tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water and stir until the baking soda dissolves.

Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and then scrub the electrical wire and the wires connected to it. The mixture will begin to hiss on the corroded metal, so don’t be alarmed. Once the hissing has stopped, the wire and connector will be mostly free of corrosion.

You can repeat the process until the cable and plug no longer produce hiss. When you are satisfied with the results, you can reattach the wires to their terminals and use new plugs to reconnect the wires. The control box can then be closed again.

Call the Emergency Electrician in Reading. The electricians that send, will fix every electrical issue at your home. Furthermore, we are 24 hours available. Call us whenever you want, 01184640210.