How to Solder to a PC Board
A printed circuit board is a method of mass producing a circuit design without the need for complicated and time consuming point-to-point wiring. A printed circuit board (PCB) is a copper board coated with a non-conductive material. Circuit paths are etched into the board, removing the non-conductive surface and exposing copper paths to carry a signal between components. Printed circuit board soldering requires a bit more care and precision than other forms of soldering, as the circuit designs are often compact. With a bit of patience and attention to detail, however, you will find that PCBs provide a very straightforward way to create electrical circuits.
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Things You'll Need
- PCB
- Sponge
- Abrasive cleaning pad
- Compressed air canister
- PCB components
- Wire cutters
Instructions
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1
Tin the tip of your soldering iron by heating it and touching solder to it. Coat the tip thoroughly and wipe clean on a damp sponge.
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2
Clean the PCB surface with an abrasive cleaning pad. Do not use a pad that contains soap or detergent. Rinse quickly with acetone and dry with a can of compressed air.
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3
Insert component leads into their pre-drilled holes on the board. Components with long leads such as resistors, capacitors and transistors should be pressed into the board so that the component sits almost flush with the surface. Bend the leads to hold the component in place before soldering. Hold components such as integrated circuits in place with masking tape.
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4
Heat the joint where the component lead meets the PCB on the underside of the board. Tin the tip and wipe it on a damp sponge before working on each joint.
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5
Apply solder directly to the joint. If solder does not flow readily, do not touch it to the soldering iron as this will drop too much solder on a joint. Heat the joint again and completely coat the joint in an an even layer of solder.
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6
Cut off the excess component leads after all have been soldered to create a flush surface on the underside of your board.
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Tips & Warnings
Certain components can be damaged by the heat from a soldering iron. It is useful to use a heat shunt, typically an alligator clip, to direct some of the heat away from the component.
If the solder or PCB surface begins to bubble, you have overheated your joint. Remove the soldering iron immediately and allow the joint to cool to avoid damaging your board or components.
Solder in a well-ventilated area to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes created during soldering.
