Page 99 - Electronic Mechanic - TP - Volume - 2
P. 99

ELECTRONICS MECHANIC - CITS




           A  Soldering Iron

              •  A soldering iron is used to heat the connections to be soldered.
              •  For electronic circuits, you should use a 25- to 40-watt (W) soldering iron.
              •  Higher wattage soldering irons are not necessarily hotter; they are just able to heat larger components.
              •  A 40-W soldering iron makes joints faster than a 25-W soldering iron does.

           Soldering Process























           1  Solder needs a clean surface on which to adhere
              •  Buff the copper foil of a PC board with steel wool before soldering.
              •  Remove any oil, paint, wax, etc. with a solvent, steel wool, or fine sandpaper.
           2  To solder, heat the connection with the tip of the soldering iron for a few seconds, then apply the solder.

              •  Heat the connection, not the solder.
              •  Hold the soldering iron like a pen, near the base of the handle.
              •  Both parts that are being soldered have to be hot to form a good connection.
           3  Keep the soldering tip on the connection as the solder is applied.
              •  Solder will flow into and around well-heated connections.
              •  Use just enough solder to form a strong connection.4. Remove the tip from the connection as soon as the
                 solder has flowed where you want it to be. Remove the solder, then the iron.
           5  Don’t move the connection while the solder is cooling.
           6  Don’t overheat the connection, as this might damage the electrical component you are soldering.

              •  Transistors and some other components can be damaged by heat when soldering. A crocodile clip can be
                 used as a heat sink to protect these components.





















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                                    CITS : E & H - Electronics Mechanic  - Exercise 141
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