Soldering iron

Soldering irons: everything you need to know

Soldering irons are hand tools which are intended for quickly joining different parts using melted solder: copper, nickel, tin. With the help of these tools, it is possible to join parts of integrated circuits, pipes, wires; they are also used for tin-plating of metal.

What are the types of soldering irons?

• Electric soldering irons. They can use the mains or batteries as a power supply. Apart from models which require the standard voltage of 220 V, product catalogues contain devices powered by a cigarette lighter socket. They are designed for the voltage of 12 or 24 V. The power consumption of the appliances is about 15–40 W.
• Gas soldering irons. Self-contained models with a working element heated by open fire. You must be very careful when using them.

The appliances differ from each other in the operating principle and materials they are made of:

• Nichrome heater soldering iron. Alternating or direct current is passed through a nichrome wire to generate heat to be transferred to the soldering tip. These are cheap, notable for the simplicity of usage and resistance to mechanical impacts.
• Ceramic heater soldering iron. The heating element in these tools is a ceramic cartridge connected to high voltage terminals. These tools heat up very quickly, and feature the power (i.e. temperature) adjustment. Their heating part cannot withstand loads and can’t be replaced in case of failure.
• Induction soldering iron. The working element is heated by an induction coil which creates a magnetic field and induced current. These soldering irons automatically maintain the temperature at Curie point.
• Soldering guns. They produce high-frequency pulse current which heats up the tip almost instantly. Unsuitable for long-time work without interruptions.

By design, these tools can be:

• Straight. With these tools, it is comfortable to perform works in tight spaces.
• Pistol-grip. With a handle positioned at a straight angle to the body.
• Soldering stations. The functional part of the tool is connected to the control unit.

Operating principle

These electric devices convert electrical energy into thermal energy which is transferred to the soldering area via the heating element. In the tools fitted with a gas container, the soldering tip is heated due to gas burning. When contacting the processed surface, the soldering tip melts the solder which fixes joined parts when it solidifies.

Tips on using soldering irons

Use the device only according to the manufacturer’s instructions and observe the safety precautions. Do not leave the device switched on and don’t use it near flammable substances. Do soldering only in rooms with good ventilation. Wear a respirator if it is possible.

After you finish, wait until the tool is completely cool down and only after that, you can put it away. Prevent moisture from getting into the tool.

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