electrical contact
Current-passing touch point
Electrical contact is the junction where current passes between conductors.
The term covers both the physical touching point and the components designed to make or break such connections—the metal surfaces in switches, relays, and connectors.
Good electrical contact requires clean, properly mated surfaces; corrosion or loose connections create resistance and heat.
The switch failed because the electrical contacts were worn.
At the endpoint
- connectorThing that joins others
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
- junctionPoint where things meet
socket · plug · pin · receptacle · electrode · jack · port · adapter
Reddish-brown metallic element
- silverLustrous white precious metal
- goldElement seventy-nine
- brassCopper-zinc metal mixture
- bronzeCopper-tin alloy
platinum · palladium · tungsten · nickel · alloy · plating · conductivity · corrosion-resistant
Not accessible now
disengage · mating · insertion · continuity · interface · interconnect · secure · firm
Chemical wearing away
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- pittingForming small cavities
- arcingMoving along curved trajectory
- erosionGradual wearing away
wear · contamination · fretting · tarnish · fouling · carbon buildup · chatter · failure
Curved line segment
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- flashoverSudden total combustion event
- coronaStar's outermost atmosphere
- ignitionStarting combustion process
gap · plasma · static · short · welding · pitting · quenching · snubber
Lasting very briefly
- latchingSecuring with a catch
- reedVibrating sliver for woodwinds
- slidingMoving smoothly across surface
- rollingTurning over repeatedly
stationary · moving · auxiliary · changeover
terminal
At the endpoint
- connectorThing that joins others
- switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
- relayStage-by-stage transmission
junction · socket · plug · pin · receptacle · electrode · jack · port · adapter · coupler
copper
Reddish-brown metallic element
bronze · platinum · palladium · tungsten · nickel · alloy · plating · conductivity · corrosion-resistant · oxidation
closed
Not accessible now
engage · disengage · mating · insertion · continuity · interface · interconnect · secure · firm · pressure
corrosion
Chemical wearing away
- oxidationLosing electrons chemically
- pittingForming small cavities
- arcingMoving along curved trajectory
erosion · wear · contamination · fretting · tarnish · fouling · carbon buildup · chatter · failure · intermittent
arc
Curved line segment
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- flashoverSudden total combustion event
- coronaStar's outermost atmosphere
ignition · gap · plasma · static · short · welding · pitting · quenching · snubber · inrush
momentary
Lasting very briefly
- latchingSecuring with a catch
- reedVibrating sliver for woodwinds
- slidingMoving smoothly across surface
rolling · stationary · moving · auxiliary · changeover
electrical contactwireless
Untethered signal transmission
non-contact · contactless · wireless connection · air gap · wireless transmission
electrical contactinsulator
Substance resisting energy flow
electrical insulation · electrical insulator · insulating material · dielectric · non-conductor
electrical, electric, electricity, electrically, electrify, electrified, electrifying, electrification, electron