Soldering
Building permanent circuits
Soldering accomplishes two things
• Electrical connections
• Mechanical connections
Tools you Need
• Wire cutters
• Wire strippers
• Soldering iron
Optional Tools
• Lead bender
• Exacto knife
Solder
• An alloy of 60% tin and 40% lead
• Low melting point
• Fuses metal together
• Rosin flux core
• Lead-free and silver solder
The Process
• Form leads
• Insert into PCB
• Solder leads to pads
• Trim excess leads
Forming Leads
Some leads are ready to insert into the PCB
Some leads need to be formed
Ready Formed Leads
Leads that need to be Formed
Cutting from a Row
Stripping Wire
Correct Gauge Pull Wire
Wire Stripped of Insulation
Insert Components
• Usually Flush
• Bend Leads or Tape
Holding Component in Place
Spread Leads Slightly Tape Down
Before You Solder
Wipe Tip Tin Tip
Don’t Jab!
Soldering
• Briefly heat pad and lead
• Apply solder to pad, lead, and iron
• Remove solder and iron (in that order)
Heat Pad and Lead
IC Sockets
• Use IC sockets
• Solder opposing IC socket pins
• Confirm flush
• Rework if necessary
Soldering Opposing Pins
Confirm Flush
Rework if Necessary
Strain Relief
Trim Excess Leads
Beware of flying leads
The lead is cut at the solder
What’s Next?
Check Your Work!