How to Wash Down Electrical Components

To wash down is the process of completely cleaning an item using high-pressure water, chemicals or solvents. Using water to wash an electronic component is hazardous; therefore, when washing a machine that has some electrical components in it, you should warm a cloth with warm water and soap, wring the cloth and just wipe the machine. Most electrical components and electrical parts in machines are washed down using solvents. The process requires careful handling, as cables and spliced components may be adversely affected. Solvents are used to clean electrical components because of their rate of evaporation.

Instructions

• 1

  Switch off all the power supplies to the electrical equipment whose components you want to clean. Disassemble the parts of the equipment and place the components on a lint-free area. Wear an anti-static wristband to prevent the transfer of static electricity from your body to the electrical components.

• 2

  Use a soft-bristle brush to clean the parts that may be hard to reach, in between lines and splices. Gently brush the area you are cleaning to dislodge dust particles. Clean the fuse box in your car by disconnecting the battery and using a small wire brush. Make sure that the battery is disconnected to avoid sparking each time you touch the connectors.

• 3

  Spray solvent onto a cloth and wipe the component with the moist cloth. Do not use a cloth that is soaked with a solvent. Spray enough solvent to moisten the cloth and not to soak it. Fast-drying solvents are best for cleaning electrical components, as they will not seep into the material. Use a brush or foam-tip bud to remove stubborn stains. Use solvents to remove oxide residues, grease and light soils. Do not spray aerosols directly onto live equipment, as they may be flammable.

• 4

  Use compressed air, either from a can of compressed air or from a pressure pipe. Clean the accumulated dust and grease inside an amplifier, tuner or receiver using compressed air and a brush. Blow away accumulated dust on your keyboard or DVD drive using compressed air too.