BASICS OF SOLDERING

What is soldering?
Soldering is merely gluing things together with melted metal. It is the process of
amalgamating metals to provide a good electrical connection. It is not difficult, though it does
take a little practice to get the hang of it. Having the right tool for the job is also very
important.

Tools needed
The basic soldering technique is using a soldering iron and a solder.

The soldering iron is simply a tool that supplies enough heat to melt the solder. Soldering
iron comes either with variable temperature or no temperature control. For various
applications we can choose different watts of soldering irons ranging from 15W to 35W.

Solder is an alloy of two metals, with a relatively low melting point, that will flow onto the
surface of other metals creating a low-resistance electrical connection. It is generally tin and
lead and is usually identified by its tin/lead composition. If you look at a solder roll, you will
usually find numbers like 40/60, 50/50, or 60/40. These are ratios of tin/lead, as percentages.
Solder with a higher tin content melts at a lower temperature.

Preferred Brand:

SOLDRING IRON: SOLDRON 25 WATTS

SOLDERING LEAD: TRIPP

Soldering Technique
Start off by ensuring that all parts you are connecting are clean from dirt and grease. Also
ensure that the mechanical connections are secure before you apply solder, and the parts
should not be able to move in relation to each other. Another important point to note is that
both parts of the joint to be made must be at the same temperature.

It is very important how to position the soldering iron, try to place the soldering tip with the
soldering surface or PCB with an angle of 45º.

To actually solder a joint, first apply heat by applying the top of the soldering iron against the
things you are joining, immediately apply solder to the point where the iron is contacting.
Remember, you should be heating the joints, not the solder!

Feed solder only until there is enough to fill the gap and leave a slight swell. Don't apply too
much solder, as it can flow over into other places and cause a short circuit. Remove the solder
and the iron smoothly. The whole process should only take two or three seconds at most.
Avoid touching the join until it is cooled. A good solder joint will look shiny and smooth
while a bad solder joint will look dull and crinkly.
Soldering Tips - Preparation
1. The selection of the soldering iron is important. Irons of the 15W to 30W range are good
for most electronics/printed circuit board work. Higher wattage than this might damage either
the component or the board. It is best to select an iron specifically intended for electronics.
Use also the correct tip size.

2. All parts (including the iron tip itself) must be clean and free from dirt and grease. Dirt is
the enemy of a good quality soldered joint.

3. A good mechanical connection is necessary before you solder. Make sure the parts are not
able to move in relation to each other.

Soldering Tips - Soldering

2. Avoid scratching and scraping the tip. You need to keep the tip clean always. When
soldering, keep a wet sponge beside you and use it to clean the tip periodically while
soldering. When you have finished soldering, put a blob of solder on the tip as it cools, this
seals it, helping to prevent oxidation.

3. Both parts of the joint to be made must be at the same temperature before applying solder.
The solder will flow evenly and make a good electrical and mechanical joint only if both
parts of the joint are at an equal high temperature.

4. Apply an appropriate amount of solder. Too much solder is an unnecessary waste and may
cause short circuits with adjacent joints. If it is too little, it may not support the component
properly, or may not fully form a working joint. You will know how much to apply through
practice.

5. Should you need to redo a solder joint, always start from scratch. Remove the solder you
just put on, and clean the surface before you start the process again.

6. If you need to clean solder off a circuit board, use a solder wick. Place the wick on the
joint or track you want to clean up, and apply your soldering iron on top. The solder will melt
and gets drawn into the wick. If there is a lot of solder the wick will fill up, so gently pull the
wick through the joint and your iron, and the solder will flow into it as it passes.

7. Don't move the joints until the solder has cooled.

2. Always wear eye protection to protect you from possible solder splashes as well as the
solder fumes.

3. Solder on a fire resistant surface.

4. Never leave your iron plugged in and unattended.

5. Never set your hot iron down on anything other than an iron stand. This is to prevent it
from burning things in your work area.

6. Replace the cord of your iron if it becomes worn or gets burnt.

7. To prevent burning your fingers, use needle nose pliers, tweezers or heat resistant gloves to
hold small pieces.

Soldering Tips - Common mistakes

2. The parts being soldered is dirty or greasy, as such the solder won't take (or 'stick') to it.

3. The joints were not mechanically secured and moved during soldering.

Essential soldering tools

A device for applying a point source of heat to melt solder for soldering two materials
together. Soldering irons are typically electrically powered. Soldering irons may have
interchangeable tips for different types of work. Pyramid tips with a triangular flat face are
useful for soldering sheet metal. Fine round tips are useful for electronics work. You also
have a choice of either a soldering iron with variable temperature or one with no temperature
control.

Solder

This is an alloy of tin and lead that melts at a fairly low temperature and is used for making
permanent electrical connections between parts and wires. The most commonly used type of
solder is rosin core. The rosin is flux, which cleans as you solder. The other type of solder is
acid core and unless you are experienced at soldering, you should stick to rosin core solder.
Acid core solder can be tricky and better avoided for the beginner.
Other useful soldering tips & tools
1. Soldering iron tips - comes in different sizes and shapes (pointed or flat tips)

2. Solder wick , solder sucker or desolder pump for cleaning up solder

3. Small hand tools e.g. clamps for clipping component leads, bending and shaping etc

4. Soldering iron stand - a heat resistant cradle for your iron to sit in, so you don't have
to lie it down on the bench while it is hot. This will prevent it from burning things in
your work area

5. Magnifying glass to inspect the connection

6. A wet sponge to clean soldering iron tips

7. Fume extractors to suck out the poisonous solder fumes and filter it

8. Work safely

9. Practice makes man perfect, so practice hard

Nair Krishna Raveendran (B.E.E.T)