Re: horn ring lube

[Carlyle Fitzgerald <clfitz@inetone.net>]

On Mon, 29 Mar 1999, Robert Myers wrote:

> Yeah.  Seems to be something of a misnomer.  The term dielectric refers to
> what would normally be called an insulator.  The grease should be
> conductive for this purpose.  IME, a "dielectric" grease is used for
> purposes requiring a conductive grease and is, in fact, conductive.
> Amazing, huh?  :-)

Hi, Bob...

It is amazing, indeed.  If I'm remembering basic electricity correctly (I
may not be, 'cause it was a long time ago!) the term "dielectric strength"
is a measure of the point at which a substance changes over from an
insulator to a conductor.  Everything is a conductor at some point; that's
how lightning works, for example.

I've wondered about this very thing for some time.  It seems at the very
least a poor use of language.  (Well, maybe it *isn't* so amazing after
all...)

Carlyle
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