Electronics Cleaners

Electronics cleaners are specialised precision solvents, degreasers and solutions used for safely removing contaminants like grease, oil and dust from delicate electronic assemblies. These formulations, often referred to as Printed Circuit Board (PCB) cleaners or circuit board cleaners, leave a clean, dry and residue-free surface, crucial for maintaining the integrity of sensitive components.

Key Uses of PCB and Electronics Cleaners

PCB cleaners are vital for a variety of uses, such as:

• Effective Contaminant Removal: Electronics cleaners are specifically formulated to effectively remove common contaminants such as grease, oil, dust and flux from delicate assemblies, ensuring the electrical components are left pristine.
• Fast-Drying and Residue-Free: A key property of contact cleaners is their ability to evaporate quickly, leaving no residue behind. This fast-drying action is critical for signal integrity, ensuring a clean, dry surface for effective use.
• Enhanced Electrical Safety: Electrical cleaners are non-conductive, a crucial property for workplace safety during maintenance on live or powered components. Their formulation also works to prevent arcing between terminals, which ensures connections remain reliable and secure.
• Protection of Equipment: These solutions are formulated to be safe for use on plastic and rubber. This prevents delicate components from being damaged during cleaning, providing the confidence needed for intricate maintenance tasks.

How Do PCB Cleaners and Contact Cleaners Work?

PCB cleaners and contact cleaners work by using specialised solvents to remove contaminants from delicate electronic surfaces. The cleaner is typically applied by spraying or immersing the component, allowing the cleaning agent to dissolve substances like grease, oil, dust or flux.

For stubborn grime, a small brush or foam-tipped bud can be used to scrub the area. After application, these cleaners are designed to evaporate quickly, leaving a clean, dry and residue-free surface. Crucially, this process ensures optimal electrical performance and prevents issues like corrosion or arcing.

Types of PCB and Electronic Spray Cleaners

PCB cleaners come in various formulations, each with a specific purpose for cleaning electronic components and assemblies. These include:

Circuit Board Cleaners

Circuit board cleaners are formulated specifically for use on PCBs. These solutions remove contaminants like flux residue, dust and oil without damaging sensitive electronic components. They also leave behind a clean, dry surface, which is critical for maintaining the integrity and long-term performance of the circuit.

Electronic Contact Cleaners

Electronic contact cleaners are specially designed to clean electrical contacts and connectors. These cleaners work by removing contaminants such as tarnish, dust and oil that can cause poor connections and signal loss. This improves electrical conductivity and prevents corrosion, which is crucial for maintaining the reliability of these sensitive electronic equipment.

Electronic Spray Cleaners

Designed as a spray-based solution, an electronic spray cleaner offers precise application for cleaning components like switches, connectors and circuit boards. This fast-drying solution works quickly to remove contaminants, ensuring a clean surface with no residue. Its quick, targeted application makes it an indispensable tool for maintenance and reliable equipment operation.

Electronic Cleaning Solvents

Formulated for deep cleaning, an electronic cleaning solvent is designed to tackle stubborn contaminants like heavy grease, oils and residues that other cleaners may not remove. These robust electronic liquid cleaners work by dissolving difficult substances from electronic equipment, ensuring a thorough clean without damaging sensitive materials.

How to Choose the Right Electronics Cleaner

Selecting the right electronics cleaner is crucial for preventing damage and for ensuring reliable performance. Here’s what to keep in mind:

Consider Your Specific Cleaning Needs

Your choice of cleaner must match the specific type of electronics you are servicing. For example, a circuit board cleaner is formulated to handle sensitive PCBs, while a dedicated electronic contact cleaner is ideal for terminals and connectors, ensuring their integrity and function.

Additionally, the surface material is another critical consideration. For example, it’s vital to select a cleaner that is safe on plastic or rubber, as using the wrong solvent can cause irreversible damage to these components.

Choose Between Liquids and Sprays

The form factor of the cleaner is a primary consideration. Electronic liquid cleaners are highly effective for larger, tougher areas that can be immersed in a solution, providing a deep clean. In contrast, an electronics cleaning spray is ideal for precision applications and hard-to-reach spots, offering a targeted, fast-drying solution for switches, contacts or circuit boards.

Residue vs. Non-Residue Cleaners

The choice between a residue-leaving cleaner and a non-residue cleaner depends on the application. Cleaners that leave a residue, such as a silicone-based electronic cleaner, are often used to lubricate or protect moving parts. In contrast, a residue-free cleaner is critical for sensitive electronics to ensure no conductive or corrosive film is left behind, maintaining signal integrity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Electronics Cleaners

Avoiding common mistakes when buying electronics cleaners is vital for preventing damage and ensuring a perfect result. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Choosing the Wrong Cleaner for the Surface: Selecting a general-purpose electronics cleaner for a sensitive task can cause damage. Always choose a specific cleaner that’s formulated for the surface material you’re applying it on.
• Overlooking Residue Issues: Residue-based cleaners can leave behind deposits that affect performance. For critical applications, ensure you choose a residue-free option, such as a contact cleaner spray, for the maintenance of sensitive components.
• Ignoring Environmental Impact: The chemical composition of your cleaner can have a significant environmental impact. Look for eco-friendly options, such as an electronics liquid cleaner with a biodegradable formula, for industries with strict compliance requirements.

Common Applications of PCB Cleaners

PCB cleaners are vital for ensuring the integrity and function of electronics components across numerous industries, such as:

• Electronics Manufacturing: Post-soldering, circuit board cleaners are essential for removing flux and residue from PCBs. This meticulous cleaning is a critical part of quality control, ensuring the integrity and long-term performance of these sensitive components.
• Maintenance and Repair Services: On-site service and repair relies heavily on effective cleaning. Electronics cleaners quickly remove contaminants from circuit boards and connections, which is key to restoring effective performance in the field.
• Service and Repair Centres: Electronic contact cleaners are the tools of choice for refurbishing and maintaining equipment in dedicated service centres. They are specifically used to clean relays, switches and connectors, ensuring reliable electrical performance.
• General Industrial Use: The use of a circuit board cleaner extends to a general-purpose degreaser for various electronic parts in industrial settings. This makes it a versatile tool for maintaining and troubleshooting machinery of all kinds, ensuring efficient operation.

Your Trusted PCB Cleaner Supplier and Manufacturer in Australia

RS Australia is your trusted manufacturer and distributor of high-quality PCB cleaners. Our catalogue showcases a wide range of electronics cleaners — as well as associated products like industrial wipes and silica gel packets — from leading manufacturers like CRC and Electrolube. All our products undergo rigorous testing, comply with international standards and are backed by our commitment to assured quality.

For maximum convenience, RS Australia also provides the rapid, nationwide doorstep delivery of all your orders. For more information regarding our dispatch timelines, applicable charges and shipping options, please consult our dedicated Delivery Information page today.