The effects of calcite particles on the reliability of electrical contacts

Dust particles can cause serious failure of electrical contacts. Based on the previous analysis of dust and contaminated particles on the failed contacts of connectors, we identified several hard and soft materials (quartz, feldspar, calcite, mica, gypsum) commonly found in fine dust particles that could be harmful. Among them, calcite was one of the most in the fine particles. We studied the failure phenomena of electrical contacts covered by calcite particles under both static and dynamic conditions by simulation experiments. The failure mechanism of electrical contacts related to the calcite particles and the influencing factors was also investigated.