Soldering electronics: you should pay attention to this
If you want to solder electronics, there are a few things to consider. Boards often offer little space, some components can only withstand high temperatures for a few seconds and not all soldering irons and solders have the optimal operating and melting temperatures. In this practical tip, we show you which materials you need for soldering electronics and give you entry tips for soldering electronic parts.
Electronics soldering materials
In addition to the electronics themselves, you need a soldering iron and tin to solder electronics. Pay attention to the following features:
- To solder electronics, you need to solder. That means the melting temperature of your solder is below 450 degrees.
- The composition is described on the packaging of the solder. First the element is mentioned, then the percentage.
- Use solder with 60 percent tin and 38 to 39 percent lead. The melting temperature is around 180 ° C. In the picture gallery we show you how you can read the composition from the packaging of the solder.
- Tin with a diameter of 1 mm is ideal, but 0.5 to 1.5 mm is also possible.
- It is best to use a 15 to 25 watt soldering iron.
- Suitable soldering iron tips are rather small and pointed. Very large and flat soldering iron tips that look like a flat-blade screwdriver are less suitable.
- To regularly clean the tip of the soldering iron, you need a sponge. Caution: sponges made of foam, such as pot sponges, are unsuitable. They melt away under the hot soldering iron and dirty it instead of cleaning it.
- After soldering, cut off excess legs with a special electronic side cutter.
- Before you start soldering, you can also test many electronic circuits beforehand in a breadboard or with crocodiles.
Tips for electronics soldering
Sometimes you have to work very quickly to solder electronics. You can get started well with the following tips:
- Insert components into the board and then bend the legs so that the component does not slip.
- Unwind a few centimeters of solder from the roll.
- If you bought a kit, solder in the order recommended by the instructions.
- Warm parts that you want to join. Use your soldering iron to touch the components or the component and the solder pad it is in for two to three seconds.
- Now aim the solder at the connection between the soldering iron and the components.
- Apply enough solder to the connection so that it stretches between the two wires, or the wire in the solder pad is completely enveloped by the solder.
- Pull off the soldering iron and do not move the parts for the next few seconds.
- Snap off the excess leg section as directly as possible above the plumb line.
- Some devices, such as diodes, ICs and transistors, are sensitive to heat. They have to be soldered quickly.
- Only solder these parts after you have already gathered some practice on cables, plugs or resistors.
- If space permits, you can attach pliers or crocodile clips to the leg of the sensitive component, which serves as a heat conductor.
Latest videos
The composition of solder is coded on the package. Bp means lead, Sn stands for tin, Cu for copper and Ag for silver. Behind this is the percentage. So solder with 60 percent tin and 38 or 39 percent lead is "SN60BP38" or "SN60BP39". By the way, you get annoyed with pure copper: the melting temperature is 1083 ° C.
A little more expensive, but a little safer for beginners: Soldering stations with adjustable temperature help you not to overheat the components. 300 to 350 ° C is optimal.
Use a [[//www.amazon.de/AGT-DRITTE-GLASLUPE-feinste-L%C3%83%C2%B6tarbeiten/dp/B001EKXM6O?tag=chiponline|Dritte Hand]] to hold boards or connectors, A magnifying glass helps when small parts have to fit precisely.
