Hot glue question

[sevenskj]

Let's say I have a automotive electrical connection. A two prong wire harness one prong 12v power one ground. If I were to plug a wire on 12v then used hot glue into plug to help hold my wire in it and the glue were to touch both prongs wound it short the circuit?
......Jody

 

[bczygan]

Depends on the type. Some varieties are made with conductive particles in the mix.
Also, it melts when hot, so I wouldn't use where heat is an issue.

 

[BillK]

Jody,
If the connector needs glue to hold it in place, then something is wrong with it, period. If it is in an application where it might get pulled apart, like a trailer harness, then you need to devise a strain relief of some type to hold it together.

 

[BigGMC]

I havent come across any conductive hot glues, the basic whitish/translucent kind are all I've had. I've used hot glue to insulate and fasten electronic components many times.
I bet there's many kinds of arts and crafts glue that may have additives. As long as you don't see glitter flecks in the glue you should be fine. Got an ohm meter? Measure a blob of glue.

 

[nehog]

Hot melt glue has been used this way for years. We've never had problems with it being conductive--however engine bay heat can be sufficient for it to get very soft.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

Hot melt glue is typically a vinyl material and nonconductive. It does soften when warm (of course) so if you have a connector that might heat up through use, you may find the glue melting into the joint and cause intermittent connections. It also may pull apart.

I cannot think of any situation where this would be a good thing to use around electrical work.

 

[JimVonBaden]

It works fine, just make sure it is not a critical connection where you should do it right.

Jim

 

[nanofrog]

Some hot melt adhesives will absorb water (hygroscopic), which wouldn't be all that wonderful in this application either, so it's worth checking.

If you want to know what you're getting, take a look at 3M's electronic adhesive section, find the suitable P/N, and order it. I wouldn't recommend what comes from a craft store, as it's almost certainly the wrong stuff (other properties tend not to be that wonderful either, such as the adhesive bond breaking at modest temperature changes or just a little age).