How to choose and use a soldering iron for microcircuits

Electronic microcircuits are installed not only in televisions and music centers. They are used for door locks and refrigerators, various drives and lighting devices. They perform the functions of microprocessors, memory, power supplies, and other devices. Current trends indicate a gradual expansion of their scope. Therefore, a soldering iron for microcircuits is useful for equipping a modern personal workshop. With its help, you can quickly make repairs or upgrades, without resorting to the services of expensive specialists and other unnecessary costs.

In the large assortment of offers from specialized stores, it is not difficult to find tools for successfully solving specific problems

Determination of criteria for choosing a high-quality soldering iron for microcircuits

In order not to be mistaken with the purchase of tools, it is necessary to clarify the scope and parameters of future work. Consideration should be given to the characteristics of the electronic components, the conditions in the home workshop and personal preference. A market overview with the study of new products offered by modern manufacturing enterprises will be useful. Some devices for performing certain operations can be made with your own hands. Such an integrated approach will help you choose the optimal equipment configuration.

Do I need to buy a hair dryer for soldering microcircuits: general requirements for tools

The first criterion that experts recommend to consider is power. An electric soldering iron for soldering chips consumes from 3 to 15 watts. The group from 15 to 50 W includes universal tools. They are useful for dismantling and installing diodes, transistors, resistors, and other individual electronic components. If you intend to work with thick conductors (more than 1.5 mm in diameter), you should purchase a heating device with a power of 75-100 W.

Similar soldering irons with a power of up to 250 W are used for tinning dishes, connecting copper pipes

After determining with a suitable power, you need to deal with the working nozzle. Without experience, it is easier to work with a straight blade.

Different tools may be needed to accurately perform individual operations. They can be purchased (created by yourself) later, as you master the working operations.

Specialized nozzle for soldering microcircuits. Such devices are created taking into account the size and other parameters of certain electronic components.

When choosing a suitable option, study the handle separately

Natural wood has low thermal conductivity, so some craftsmen prefer this option. However, in modern models, plastic is supplemented with rubber pads, which provide a secure grip. The thickening at the front improves safety. Convenient placement of regulators facilitates operation. In any case, personal physiological characteristics must be taken into account.

Some manipulations are more convenient to perform using a pistol grip

With a lightweight soldering iron, large volumes of work can be performed without unnecessary physical effort

Gas soldering iron

Such a tool is not used for working with microcircuits. Its main advantage, autonomy, is not a significant factor in this case. Such products generate excessive heat that can damage electronic components. As a rule, they are used for electrical work.

The main difference between a pulse soldering iron and a conventional one is almost instant heating

This can be useful in practice. But it should be noted that such products are heavier than conventional models. You should also check if the soldering iron is available with a wide platform for simultaneous soldering of several microcircuit legs.

Specialized hair dryer

Such a tool creates volumetric heat, which is used to solder various electronic devices. Care should be taken not to damage them by excessive temperature.

How to solder a microcircuit from a board with a soldering iron: application and features of technological operations

When working with certain electronic components, take into account the installation rules, which are given in the manufacturer's instructions. They contain information about temperature conditions. To prevent overheating, reduce the exposure time, choose suitable types of solder.

Table 1. Types of solder

Soldering Station. In this specialized set of equipment, the control unit maintains the temperature automatically set by the user.

What is needed for soldering microcircuits will be easier to find out after studying the technological process. The following describes the sequence of actions when working with components of the BGA category. In these housings, the terminals are installed at the bottom of the housing. This engineering solution makes it possible to reduce the size of products, but complicates their installation and dismantling on the board.

Table 2. How to solder the microcircuit from the board with a soldering iron

Photo	Features of working operations
	The following describes the sequence of actions when working with components of the BGA category. In these housings, the terminals are installed at the bottom of the housing. This engineering solution makes it possible to reduce the size of products, but complicates their installation and dismantling on the board.
	A hairdryer and a soldering station are used to perform the work. The temperature is set at + 340 ° C (corrections are made taking into account the brand of the chip, its size). The speed of the heated air jet should not be large to prevent negative effects on other elements. It is directed along the circuit of the microcircuit.
	After careful separation, the tracks on the board are not damaged.
	This is how the bottom of the microcircuit looks like.
	To remove excess solder, use a hair dryer and cable sheath. A similar technique is used to clean the board.
	To complete the installation, a ball of solder should be formed on each leg of the microcircuit. It will take a long time to do this one by one, therefore a special stencil is used.
	Solder paste is applied to the legs through the holes.
	It is melted with a hair dryer. The selected temperature is + 290 ° C. The stencil is maintained with tweezers until the solidification process is complete.
	Microcircuit after stencil separation.
	The board is heated from below (mode: + 340 ° C). When the solder melts, the legs of the microcircuit will be exactly in the right places.

Which soldering iron is better to choose: an overview of different models and clarification of individual requirements

The set of equipment discussed in the previous section of the article has advanced functionality. It allows you to perform professional soldering. But it should be borne in mind that such kits are expensive.

You can buy such a soldering iron for soldering wires for 120-200 rubles

However, even a beginner should not purchase the simplest models if they intend to work with microcircuits. First, temperature control must be ensured. The electrical isolation from the standard 220 V power supply is also useful. It will increase the level of safety and at the same time prevent damage to the electronic components on the board. Similar functions are performed by grounding.

Below is an example of a suitable set. It attracts with a democratic price and good technical characteristics.

Sufficient equipment

The kit contains all the necessary components:

With this example, you can examine in detail the positive and negative nuances. The knowledge gained will be useful for an objective assessment of the current offers on the domestic market.

A ground wire longer than 40 cm is sufficient

For such a plug (1), you need to purchase an adapter for a European standard outlet. Lack of marking (2) makes it difficult to set the desired temperature

Disassembled top

This model has a ceramic element (5). It provides uniform heating and good efficiency. But its strength is less in comparison with the nichrome analogue. However, there is reliable protection (1, 3) from mechanical damage. The knurled nut (4) is convenient for attaching and changing the tip (2). This mount is designed for long-term use.

These add-ons simplify individual work steps.

Foldable stand with cleaning sponge for IC soldering iron

There is flux inside this solder wire, which speeds up the assembly of parts

To remove excess solder from the board and the legs of the parts, you can purchase a braid on a reel

This hot tip cleaner will last longer than a sponge

What the modern market offers

When choosing soldering irons for home, the data from the following table will come in handy. The assessment should be made based on the above information. It should be noted that some universal models can be used for soldering different parts.

Table 3. Soldering iron models

Brand / Model	Power, W	price, rub.	Notes
REXANT / 12-0120	8	110-150	Only the soldering iron itself costs so much. Additionally, you need to purchase a 12 V power supply that is suitable for power.
REXANT / 12-0170	50	600-820	This 220 V model is equipped with a built-in regulator. With its help, smooth adjustment of the tip temperature in the range from + 200 ° C to + 400 ° C is permissible.
REXANT / 12-0159	8	870-1100	This kit includes a soldering station with a spring-type stand. This is a complete kit for mounting electronic components (temperature control in the range from + 200 ° C to + 400 ° C).
REXANT / 12-0181	8	310-420	The built-in battery (4.5 V) ensures autonomy.Such a device is useful for performing work operations in hard-to-reach places where there is no possibility of connecting to a stationary power source.
REXANT / 12-0167	8	1100-1380	A set of tools with a convenient case for carrying and storing: cordless soldering iron; device for suction of molten solder; stand; Consumables.
Zubr / 55410	6	650-820	Cordless backlit soldering iron (maximum tip temperature up to + 450 ° C). Solder and protective cap are standard.
Svetozar / SV-55331	48	1100-1400	Soldering station (adjustable from + 100 ° C to + 450 ° C). The complete set includes a spring support and a sponge for cleaning the tip.
ZD / 937	48	3500-3980	Soldering station with digital settings, temperature display.

Additional tips and conclusions

It is not difficult to buy an electric soldering iron for microcircuits using this article. But we must not forget about the correct equipment of the workplace:

A set for convenient soldering: magnifier, holders with crocodile clips, lighting, spring stand

Miniature parts are easier to work with with a microscope and a magnified image on a computer screen

Video: nGoot CS series ironing irons for precision electronics

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