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I made a USB port in a gas detector prototype. I plan to keep a USB cable attached to that USB port forever. I silicone conformal coated the USB port pins on the PCB.

Can the USB head of the cable cause a spark when current runs through it, or is the spark expected to happen in the USB port pins only (which I already coated?)

Note: This port will turn on only if a gas is detected, rather than that it will keep off

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    \$\begingroup\$ I silicon conformal coated I guess that you mean silicone. Silicon is a metal that is used to fabricate transistors and ICs. Silicone or polysiloxane are polymers made up of siloxane (last bit from Wikipedia). \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 11:20
  • \$\begingroup\$ I mean "silicon conformal coating" like that provided from Konform company \$\endgroup\$
    – user233061
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 11:23
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    \$\begingroup\$ I mean "silicon conformal coating" Go look on their website: chemtronics.com/konform-sr and how it says: "Konform® SR Silicone Conformal Coating" So: Silicone, with an e at the end. The difference is important as silicon (no "e" at all) is an entirely different substance. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 11:26
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    \$\begingroup\$ If you want a "no sparks guaranteed" then I personally would not use a USB connection. Instead, I would not use a connector. If possible I would use a long cable and have the connection elsewhere, far away from the gas. If you must have a connector nearby then consider a connector that is designed to be used near explosive gasses. That will no doubt be an expensive connector. As a compromise a semi-permanent solution could suffice like a pin-header connection or screw-terminals. \$\endgroup\$
    – Bimpelrekkie
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 11:33
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    \$\begingroup\$ There are worldwide and usually countrywide laws that dictate how you can use powered electronics in the presence of a combustible gas mixture. It doesn't seem as if you are aware of this. \$\endgroup\$
    – Andy aka
    Commented Dec 24, 2020 at 12:51

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