Plated Through Hole SolderingMaterials by Lindsay Craig

Plated Through Hole Soldering

Soldering Iron

•The main soldering tool•Used to melt solder

Solder

• Metal “glue” used to join together

metal parts• Contains flux• Made of Tin and

Copper, sometimes Lead

Tweezers, Clippers, & Pliers

•Tools used to handle, bend or cut components and PCBs

Sponge

•Used to clean off soldering iron tip •Can be made of various materials•Should be used every time before soldering a joint

Flux

•Makes solder melt easier•Always use extra flux for rework

Solder Wick

•Use to remove solder•Careful, it gets really hot!

Pins and Via

•Male and female parts that you will solder together

PCB

•Printed Circuit Board•Comprised mainly of fiberglass and copper foil

Safety Goggles

•Wear them, you only have 2 eyes and solder is very, very hot! (Like this guy.)

What is oxidization?

•Oxidization is what happens when oxygen breaks down matter•It impedes heat and electricity transfer•As a result you must clean your iron tip constantly… really!

What is polarity?

• Some parts have to be

attached in a very particular

way due to polarity• These parts will not work if

you put them in incorrectly,

pay attention• Polarized parts are

highlighted in yellow in

your kit card Example of polarized LEDs

Cleaning your soldering iron

•Cleaning your soldering iron is one of the most important aspects of soldering•If you can’t get the oxidization off using a sponge try tip tinner

Perfect solder joint, step 1 of 4

•Hold the iron touching both the pin and the via for the count of one•Make sure to touch the side of the tip of the iron to the pin and via

Perfect solder joint, step 2 of 4

•Feed solder into the pin and via from the opposite side of the pin as the soldering iron•If you’re having trouble getting the solder to flow, briefly touch the iron with the solder

Perfect solder joint, step 3 of 4

•Pull the solder away first and then the soldering iron•If your solder gets stuck to the via or pin you can just melt it off with the iron

Perfect solder joint, step 3 of 4

•Don’t feed too much solder into the joint•Solder covers entire via, but no more•You can see solder from the other side of the joint (if it isn’t blocked by a component)

Perfect solder joint, step 4 of 4

•Clip excess wire off using clippers

Perfect and not so perfect solder joint

•“Jumpers” will give electricity another path to travel (one that you don’t want it to travel)•“Cold joints” may look like they are connected, but won’t conduct electricity

Questions?

www.sparkfun.com6175 Longbow Drive, Suite 200

Boulder, Colorado 80301