This article offers a short review of electronic potting. Electronic potting is applied to different electronic components, including cable junction boxes, power cables, electronic circuits, and high-voltage electrical current transformers, etc.
Potting and Its Purpose
The process of potting electronic components involves applying a protective resin to prevent damage to sensitive parts. This process prolongs the life of the electronic components and keeps them secure. This process helps avoid the damage caused by natural elements like air, water, chemicals, heat, and dust etc.
In various industries, a variety of electrical systems and components are employed. These are generally exposed to dust, dampness, high and low temperatures, etc. By potting the sensitive sections and components with a good potting compound like Techno Gel, the life of electrical components increases, and the chances of failure are reduced.
Why Choose the Right Potting Compound
To Protect the Environment – Most of the electrical components operate in harsh environments and are exposed to various contaminants, including chemicals, dust, and moisture. The potting compound acts as a barrier, protecting electronics and other components from the contaminants. Use of the right potting compound avoids the risk of corrosion, short circuits, and other forms of damage, increasing the lifespan of the electronics.
To Insulate: Insulation is done to avoid electrical shocks and keep the electronic circuits running smoothly. The right potting compound is electrically resistant and can properly insulate the components. Using the wrong compound that cannot insulate strongly can lead to short circuits, dielectric breakdown, and create a hazardous environment.
For mechanical resistance: Electronic assemblies often face mechanical stress due to heat effects, shock, etc. A good potting compound like Techno Gel can offer strong mechanical resistance, keeping the components sturdy and in harmony within the enclosure. A potting compound with low mechanical resistance can cause damage, component displacement, and even breakdown of the bonding point. Thus, the electrical component fails to perform well and loses its longevity.
For Thermal Control: Adequate thermal control is a crucial step required to dissipate the heat generated by electronic components during operation. The good potting compounds have high thermal conductivity and can efficiently transfer heat away from the devices, curtailing the heat effect and avoiding thermal damage. Choosing the wrong potting compound with low thermal conductivity can cause the heat to build up, compromise performance, and lead to premature electronics breakdown.
To Assure Compatibility: The Last and most essential factor is to ensure compatibility of the potting compound with the materials used in the electronic devices, including couplings, underlayers, coatings, and epoxies. Establishing compatibility of the materials is also essential to avoid adhesion issues, structural shifts, and chemical reactions. This can weaken the effectiveness of the potting and cause debilitating damage to the electronic components.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right potting compound is essential for the reliable and long-term performance of the electronic device. Not choosing the right potting compound, which is custom-designed to the application’s specific requirements, can cause an array of issues, ranging from ecological harm and power breakdowns to weakened electronic devices and overheating.
