Soldering PCBs 220

60/40

Solder that is 60% tin (Sn) and 40% lead (Pb). It is one of the most commonly used solder alloys.

63/37

Solder that is 63% tin (Sn) and 37% lead (Pb). It is a commonly used solder alloy that works especially well on small electronic parts.

bottom-only

A type of lead on an electronic component that is located underneath the component.

bridging

Excess solder that joins two or more adjacent pads on a PCB, creating a faulty electronic connection.

capacitor

An electronic component that stores an electrical charge.

clinched

Bent into a desired shape.

CMOS

Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor. CMOS is the semiconductor technology that is currently used for manufacturing processors and memory. Most personal computer and consumer electronics chips are some variant of CMOS.

conductive

Able to act as a path for the movement of electricity.

consumer electronics

Electronic equipment intended for use by everyday people. Consumer electronics usually find applications in entertainment, communications, and office productivity.

copper trace

A conductive path on top of a PCB made of copper. The copper trace is embedded on the surface of a PCB and forms a circuit when electronic components are soldered to it.

crimp

To pinch, bend, or press into a desired shape.

diode

A solid-state device that allows electricity to flow in only one direction.

DIP

Dual-inline package. An integrated circuit with two rows of external connecting terminals or pins, which are inserted into the holes of the printed circuit board. DIPs are well-suited for automated assembly into printed circuit boards.

DIPs

Dual-inline package. An integrated circuit with two rows of external connecting terminals or pins, which are inserted into the holes of the printed circuit board. DIPs are well-suited for automated assembly into printed circuit boards.

dual inline package

An integrated circuit with two rows of external connecting terminals or pins, which are inserted into the holes of the printed circuit board. DIPs are well-suited for automated assembly into printed circuit boards.

electronic circuit

Any complete pathway through which electrical current can flow. Electronics incorporates the use of semiconductor devices for a wide range of products including computers, cell phones, and radios.

electronic component

A basic electronic element usually packaged in a discrete form with two or more connecting leads or metallic pads. Components are intended to be connected together, usually by soldering to a printed circuit board, to create an electronic circuit with a particular function.

electrostatic discharge

Current produced by two objects having a static charge when they are brought close enough together to produce an arc or discharge, as static electricity. Electrostatic discharge can cause simple skin irritation for a person or destroy a semiconductor electronic device.

epoxy fiberglass

A combination of epoxy and fiberglass that is used in coatings, adhesives, and PCBs.

fillet

The rounded, concave section of the joint where the solder material bonds the component to a surface.

flat pack

A flat integrated circuit with its leads projecting from all four sides of the package without radius.

fully clinched

A lead with the end bent to a 90 degree angle.

grounding

A means of providing a safe path for electricity should it stray from its intended path.

gull wing lead

An SMT lead that is shaped like the outstretched wing of a seagull.

hot-air desoldering station

A soldering station with a hot air pencil for desoldering delicate surface mount components.

housing

A protective cover designed to contain or support a mechanical component.

inductor

A passive electronic component that stores energy as a magnetic field.

integrated circuit

A complete electronic circuit within a single component. Its name resulted from the integration of previously separate transistors, resistors, and capacitors, all on a single chip.

inward-formed L

A type of lead on an electronic component that curls underneath the component at an angle similar to the letter L.

ionized air blower

An air blower that removes static electricity from the air by releasing electrically neutral ions.

IPC: Association Connecting Electronic Industries

A United States-based trade association that sets quality standards and provides training in the electronic interconnect industry.

isopropyl alcohol

A colorless, flammable chemical compound with a strong odor used to sterilize surfaces. Also known as rubbing alcohol.

J-type lead

An SMT lead shaped like the letter "J."

laminated

Alternating thin layers of material that are bonded together.

lead

A thin wire that protrudes from an electronic component and provides an easy path for electricity to flow. Leads are also referred to as pins.

lead termination

The place where an electronic lead comes to an end.

lifting

A defect in which layers or parts of a PCB or component are lifted or pulled out of place.

mask

A coating on a PC board, usually dark green or dark blue, that is designed to insulate and protect the copper traces and keep them from shorting together. The mask is "masked out" to form solder pads to allow for soldering separate component leads.

on-board termination

Leads that end on the surface of the PCB.

packaging

A protective cover designed to contain or support a mechanical component.

pad

A copper platform to which surface mount components are soldered.

PCA

Printed circuit assembly. A PCA is a printed circuit board populated with electronic components. Without components it would simply be a PCB.

pin

Another name for a lead. Pins are thin wires that protrude from an electronic component and provide an easy path for electricity to flow.

power vacuum pump

A gun-shaped tool used for desoldering.

printed circuit assembly

A printed circuit board populated with electronic components.

printed circuit board

A layered construction of material used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive surface.

QFP

Quad flat pack. A flat, rectangular, integrated circuit with its leads projecting from all four sides of the package without radius.

R

Rosin-only flux. Rosin-only fluxes are the least active and leave almost no residue. However, this type should be used only on surfaces that are very clean.

rectangular

A type of lead on an electronic component that takes the shape of a rectangular metal cap on each end of the component.

resistor

An electronic component that offers a known resistance to the flow of electricity.

RMA

Rosin mildly activated. RMA fluxes are more active than R fluxes but also leave some residue.

semi-clinched

A lead with the end partially bent.

short circuit

An unwanted electrical connection between a negative and positive source, or an interruption in the flow of electricity. Short circuits can damage equipment and can cause sparks or fire.

SnPb

The atomic symbols for tin (Sn) and lead (Pb).

square-end

A type of lead on an electronic component that takes the shape of a square metal cap on each end of the component.

straight-through

A lead that is not bent but rather is kept completely straight after being inserted though a PCB.

substrate

Any surface to which a coating or sealant or printing is applied.

surface mount

A method for constructing electronic circuits in which the components are mounted directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Devices assembled this way are called surface-mount devices (SMDs).

through-hole

A method for constructing electronic circuits in which component leads are inserted through holes of printed circuit boards (PCBs).

through-hole termination

Leads that end through a hole on the PCB.

transistor

A device used to amplify a signal or open and close a circuit. In a computer, transistors function as an electronic switch.

transistor-outline

A type of packaging for integrated circuits.

Velostat

conductive sheet for electric field shielding. Carbon impregnated black polyethylene film.

via

In printed circuit board design, a pad with a plated hole that connects copper tracks from one layer of the board to other layer(s). Either the holes are electroplated or small rivets are inserted.

volt

A unit of measurement for electromagnetic force, or pressure.