Guide To Soldering
The most fundamental skill needed to assemble any electronic project is that of soldering. Soldering skills are needed to assemble any electric circuit and need the practice to learn. Faulty solder joints may cause the failure of major equipment (believe me, if you are good at it, you are already halfway done).
We are covering up this topic as this is where most of the hobbyists fail.
A proper guide to the different ways of the process and proper selection of components is necessary before moving on to its use in different upcoming circuits.
Soldering components are considered to be the most important part of circuit designing consisting of :
1.Solder IRON 2. SOLDER 3.Bit & 4. Flux
Soldering Iron
For beginners, only a soldering rod will work very fine. It comes in a variety of sizes, shapes, and wattage and is easily
available in the market.
Wattage rating may vary from 40W - 100W and this cannot be confused with the temperature of the tip, rather it states how quickly heat is dissipated through the rod and how quickly it is heated up to the maximum temperature. Therefore a high wattage solder should be preferred.
available in the market.
Wattage rating may vary from 40W - 100W and this cannot be confused with the temperature of the tip, rather it states how quickly heat is dissipated through the rod and how quickly it is heated up to the maximum temperature. Therefore a high wattage solder should be preferred.
Soldering Station
A soldering rod with the temperature-control arrangement is simply a Soldering Station.
These are designed for the most discerning users, or for continuous production line/ professional use. The best stations have irons which are well balanced, with comfort-grip handles which remain cool all day. A thermocouple will be built into the tip or shaft, which monitors the temperature.
But as I said earlier, only a soldering rod will work very fine for beginners.
Solder
Solder is an alloy of tin and lead in different proportions. It is usually available in the form of wires of different sizes and grades.
The most commonly used solder is 60/40 i.e a mixture of 60% tin and 40% lead and is easily available in the market.
Bit
The main point to be noted before reading the below description is that the beginners should not be concerned to the different types of bits available in the market.
They are available in different diameters and shapes. These can be changed depending on the type of work.The bit should be cleaned periodically to prevent a layer of oxide from accumulating between the bit and the heating element. A bright tinned surface must be maintained at the working surface of the bit. Proper use and care of the soldering iron bit prolongs the life of the bit and prevents solder-joint failure.
Flux
Flux is necessary to reduce the oxides that tend to form whenever you have hot metals in contact with the air. It also prevents the reformation of new oxides, which allows the solder to form a rigid bond. Flux helps molten solder flow more easily over the joint.
Soldering: the process
When the soldering iron bit is adequately hot, apply a little solder on the flattened tip and wipe it off with a piece of damp cloth or sponge. The solder will form a thin layer on the bit. This process is known as ‘tinning’ the bit.
Heat up the joint with the bit and continue heating while applying solder.
The molten solder flows quickly from the bit onto both parts to be joined.
It is important to use the right amount of solder.
Remove the iron and allow the joint to cool.
During the cooling period, if the joint is disturbed, it may become dry and create serious problems in the working of the circuit. Sometimes it becomes very difficult to trace out this defect.
The parts to be joined should be heated with a soldering bit for the right time length. Excessive heating may damage the components or the printed circuit track. The heating period depends on the size of the joint and the temperature of the soldering bit. Semiconductor components such as diodes, transistors and ICs are sensitive to heat and should not be overheated.
The best video guide available from the Collin's Lab:
The best video guide available from the Collin's Lab:
Comments
Post a Comment