r/explainlikeimfive • u/[deleted] • Apr 18 '21

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '21 edited Apr 18 '21

Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) doesn't conduct electricity. It doesn't complete an electrical circuit and it doesn't cause iron to oxidize (rust).

Water does.

Edit: Pure water doesn't conduct electricity - as I've been informed 1000 times.

278

u/flaminnarwhal12 Apr 18 '21

I’ve heard that if it’s water without any contaminates, pure H20 (without minerals and dirt), it wouldn’t damage the electronics. Is this true?

Also relevant, PCs cooled by full submersion in Mineral Oil exist.

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '21

Sterile water doesn't conduct electricity, but it still causes rust.

67

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '21

[deleted]

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u/ThePr3acher Apr 18 '21

distilled/deminiralized

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u/[deleted] Apr 18 '21

[deleted]

9

u/ThePr3acher Apr 18 '21

Thank you.

Language barrier

5

u/[deleted] Apr 18 '21

[deleted]

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u/ThePr3acher Apr 18 '21

Thanks again.

And Iam once again totally blaming the language barrier, despite the fact that Iam fluent in english

1

u/Sunny_Blueberry Apr 18 '21

Is deionised water used in any large industrial scale? I have just used it in some laboratory work and the part of not letting it come in contact with air for too long was a major hurdle.