If contact points become badly pitted, what is the acceptable course of action?

When contact points become badly pitted, they can significantly affect the performance and reliability of the electrical device or system. Pitting typically results from arcing or excessive wear, causing irregularities on the surface that can hinder proper contact, increase resistance, and lead to potential failure during operation.

Replacing the contacts or the control is the most effective solution because it ensures that the conductive surfaces are restored to optimal condition. New or undamaged contacts will provide a better connection, reduce the risk of further damage, and improve the overall functionality of the circuit.

Cleaning the contacts may temporarily alleviate some issues, but if the pitting is severe, it often won’t restore full functionality or prevent ongoing degradation. Adjusting the contact alignment may help in cases where misalignment is contributing to poor contact but does not address the underlying damage from pitting. Ignoring minor pitting is risky since even small defects can lead to larger failures over time if left unaddressed. Therefore, replacing the damaged components is the recommended course of action to ensure reliable operation.