Changes

* Don’t leave the iron unsupervised and on

* Don’t leave the iron unsupervised and on

* Long exposure of the iron to the PCB and other electronic components will lead to them burning

* Long exposure of the iron to the PCB and other electronic components will lead to them burning

* Don’t touch the iron

* Don’t touch the tip or neck of the iron

* Allow the solder and board to cool before handling

* Allow the solder and board to cool before handling

Breadboards are used to build temporary circuits, they allow you to plug wires into the board and prototype circuits. The holes in a breadboard are typically connected in 2 ways: the (+) bars running down the board are connected vertically and the (-) are connected in a similar way. Each horizontal row of 5 dots is connected together. The part in the middle of the board is where the connection breaks.  

Breadboards are used to build temporary circuits, they allow you to plug wires into the board and prototype circuits. The holes in a breadboard are typically connected in 2 ways: the (+) bars running down the board are connected vertically and the (-) are connected in a similar way. Each horizontal row of 5 dots is connected together. The part in the middle of the board is where the connection breaks.  

==== Perfboards/Protoboards/DOT PCBs ====

==== Protoboards ====

A protoboard (also known as a perfboard or DOT PCB) is a PCB with pre-drilled holes that have square or circular copper pads. This board allows you to insert components into the holes to secure them and then the holes can be bridged together in order to connect them together and create a circuit.  

A protoboard (also known as a perfboard or DOT PCB) is a PCB with pre-drilled holes that have square or circular copper pads. This board allows you to insert components into the holes to secure them and then the holes can be bridged together in order to connect them together and create a circuit.  

* Wire Strippers

* Wire Strippers

=== Tool Maintenance ===

=== Tool Maintenance ===

=== Set up ===

=== Set up ===

To begin soldering gather all of the equipment and components necessary. And begin by determining which connection needs to be made and how you plan on making it. Next we will set up the Iron and station; Ensure you have a working soldering iron and stand, gold wool sponge/wet sponge, solder, and (optional) flux and tip tinner. Turn on the iron and select the appropriate temperature for the iron:

To begin soldering gather all of the equipment and components necessary. And begin by determining which connection needs to be made and how you plan on making it. Next we will set up the Iron and station; Ensure you have a working soldering iron and stand, brass wool/wet sponge, solder, and (optional) flux and tip tinner. Turn on the iron and select the appropriate temperature for the iron:

* 700F (370C) for through hole components and wires

* 700F (370C) for through hole components and wires

Soldering two wires is the best way to practice soldering at the very beginning. There are two types of wire, either stranded or solid core. Both have a metal core wrapped in a plastic covering. To see the metal, you need to expose the core by removing the plastic. This can be done using wire strippers or wire cutters.

Soldering two wires is the best way to practice soldering at the very beginning. There are two types of wire, either stranded or solid core. Both have a metal core wrapped in a plastic covering. To see the metal, you need to expose the core by removing the plastic. This can be done using wire strippers or wire cutters.

===== Wire Strippers: =====

===== Wire Stripping: =====

When using wire strippers - place the wire in the slot written to be for the wire gauge you’re using and gently press around the tubing. You want to be sure to avoid cutting through the core of the wire since the goal is to expose the core. Once the perimeter of the covering has been cut through you will then remove it by slipping it off the core as seen below.

When using wire strippers - place the wire in the slot written to be for the wire gauge you’re using and gently press around the tubing. You want to be sure to avoid cutting through the core of the wire since the goal is to expose the core. Once the perimeter of the covering has been cut through you will then remove it by slipping it off the core as seen below.

<u>''Tip Tinning''</u>

<u>''Tip Tinning''</u>

Tip tinning is a process where you apply tip tinner or a layer of solder to the tip of a soldering iron - this allows for better heat transfer between the soldering iron and solder which improves adhesion and your ability to manipulate the solder.

Tip tinning is a process where you apply a layer of solder to the tip of a soldering iron - this allows for better heat transfer between the soldering iron and solder which improves adhesion and your ability to manipulate the solder.

<u>''Heating the Components''</u>

<u>''Heating the Components''</u>

When soldering components, be sure to heat the component to be hot enough to melt the solder and not the solder itself - this allows for better adhesion between the component and solder, the goal is to ensure that the connection between the two is as secure as it can be.

When soldering components, be sure to heat the component to be hot enough to melt the solder and not the solder itself - this allows for better adhesion between the component and solder, the goal is to ensure that the connection between the two is as secure as it can be.

<u>''Using the Gold Sponge''</u>

<u>''Using the Brass Wool''</u>

Using the mesh sponge helps in removing oxide from the soldering iron and is far more efficient at cleaning the iron between uses than a wet sponge.

Using the mesh sponge helps in removing oxide from the soldering iron and is far more efficient at cleaning the iron between uses than a wet sponge.

==== Soldering THT ====

==== Soldering THT ====

#Place the lead (metal stick coming from component) or wire through the hole in the perfboard or PCB.

#Place the lead (metal stick coming from component) or wire through the hole in the Protoboard or PCB.

#Holding the soldering iron like a pen, heat the copper pad and lead with soldering iron until the solder begins to flow and forms a strong connection. Remove solder, and then the soldering iro. This process should take only a few seconds.

#Holding the soldering iron like a pen, heat the copper pad and lead with soldering iron until the solder begins to flow and forms a strong connection. Remove solder, and then the soldering iro. This process should take only a few seconds.

#Allow for the connection to cool

#Allow for the connection to cool

Certain components are incredibly sensitive to static electricity and thus require specific equipment when handling them. There are 4 types of ESD equipment used to aid in grounding you to avoid damaging the equipment.

Certain components are incredibly sensitive to static electricity and thus require specific equipment when handling them. There are 4 types of ESD equipment used to aid in grounding you to avoid damaging the equipment.

There are gloves, mats, a wrist strap, and a bag.

There are gloves, mats, a wrist strap, and a bag, learn more about ESD Equipment '''[https://www.antistat.com/blog/2017-11/esd-equipment-that-improves-safety-workplace-protection/#:~:text=In%20a%20more%20precise%20light,manufacturing%20facilities%20with%20computer%20parts. here]'''

== Do's and Don'ts of Soldering ==

== Do's and Don'ts of Soldering ==