N Connectors

[devicelab]

Hey do you guys use anything on N connector threads to keep them healthy and any adapters plugged into them? I noticed my calibration loads are a little sticky and squeaky when using them. What's a good solution to lubricate the threads and keep them going strong?

 

[buddrousa]

I have never used anything on RF Connectors. I have only used Scotch 33 Tape and Butal Rubber Scotch 33 Tape to seal outside feedline to antenna connections.

 

[BoCoMonitor]

I have used CRC Brakleen -

CRC Brakleen 1003706 Brake Cleaner Spray Non-Flammable,​

and a cotton tip applicator swab to clean the the threads and the actual terminal center pin. This product also works well -

CRC QD Electronic Cleaner 05101 – 4.5 Wt. Oz., Plastic Safe Cleaner, Safe for Sensitive Electronics​

Nice thing about coax connectors, is you can spray this on to the connector internals and use a compressed air blower tool to gently dry it out after spraying. A couple shots cleans them right up.

 

[speedway_navigator]

I've had a few engineers warn that using Qtips with alcohol to clean can leave strands of cotton in the threads since the glue dissolves. I hand out cotton balls and toothpicks during my class, sometimes we've seen .2 or .3 dB return loss when cleaning a connector.

Hopefully Fred Daniels will chime in.

 

[prcguy]

I agree a cleaner like CRC QD Electronic Cleaner 05101 is safe to use on the inside of any connector and will remove dirt, grime and blow out metal shavings. It will also clean external threads to some extent and is perfectly safe. I've used similar cleaners on everything from N to SMA, 2.92mm to 40GHz and 1.35mm to 90GHz. On lower frequency connectors like stainless steel N where galling can be a problem I'll sometimes wipe on a thin coat of Deoxit R5 on the external coarse threads to help lubricate them.