Soldering devices different types are widely used at industrial facilities, in radio equipment repair shops and household appliances, in domestic conditions. Depending on the operating conditions and purpose, there are many types of soldering equipment.
Electric soldering iron with spiral heating
Applications and types
- The AC electric soldering iron with spiral heating of the core operates from a standard power supply network for household equipment at 220V 50-60Hz.
- A cordless electric soldering iron is used for desoldering wires and other small-sized elements where high power up to 15 W is not required;
- There are types of gas soldering irons that are used for strong heating metal elements and refractory alloys;
- To work with low-melting tin during the installation and repair of radio equipment, pistol-type soldering irons with pulsed voltage supply are widely used. When you press the trigger, the tip of the soldering iron heats up; after soldering is completed, the trigger is released and a heating element cools down;
- Soldering irons with ceramic rods have a long service life and allow you to select the desired temperature mode and power consumption;
Soldering iron with ceramic tips on the rod
- Induction soldering irons are widely used. An inductive coil creates a magnetic field on the ferromagnetic tip, which heats the core. When the magnetic properties of the core are lost, heating stops; this is a significant drawback of such models.
An electric soldering iron is used as hand tool. With its help, solder is melted to a liquid state, which fills the cracks and irregularities of heated metal elements at the joints, for which alloys of low-melting metals are used:
- tin;
- lead;
- zinc;
- nickel;
- copper and others.
The melting temperature of solders must be less than the melting temperature of the metal elements being connected.
Industry produces different types soldering irons Most commonly used in industry and household level, are considered spiral soldering irons, which are worth describing in more detail.
Soldering iron design and operating principle
One of the main elements of a soldering iron is a heating rod on which nichrome wire is wound in a spiral. In order to retain heat longer, the rod is inserted into a steel cylinder, which is insulated with heat-resistant fiberglass, mica or asbestos layer. A winding of nichrome wire is wound onto this dielectric layer. These measures exclude short circuit between turns.
Depending on the power of the soldering iron, the winding can be multilayer: fiberglass - winding - fiberglass - continuation of the spiral.
The greater the power of the soldering iron, the more turns of the spiral, the thinner the diameter of the wire. For high thermal conductivity of the rod, red copper is used, thus achieving rapid heating and heat transfer to the soldering iron tip.
Schematic diagram of a spiral soldering iron
List of main elements:
- plug and cord for connecting to the power supply;
- holder;
- wooden handle, can be made of heat-resistant plastic;
- copper rod;
- dielectric gaskets;
- heating coil;
- protective casing of the spiral with fixing rings.
The electrical circuit of the soldering iron is simple and consists of three elements:
- power supply;
- plug with wire;
- wire heating coil.
Electrical circuit of a soldering iron
An electric current passing through a spiral of nichrome wire heats up the winding, and the heat is transferred to the core and soldering iron tip.
Malfunctions and their elimination
The most common fault with soldering irons of this model is a break. electrical circuit. If there is a break in the area electrical cord, repairing a soldering iron is simple - just replacing the cord or plug. In the event of a break in the nichrome winding, repairs are more complicated, but are possible with your own hands.
Nichrome winding of an electric soldering iron
To determine the break and repair the winding, the easiest way is to use a multimeter, taking into account the winding resistance, which depends on the power and is indicated on the soldering iron body or in the product data sheet.
It is necessary to move apart the fixing rings and remove the protective housing of the soldering iron winding. The protection casing comes in two versions. A metal tube, which fits onto a pin with a winding and rests against the handle, is secured on the tip side with a clamping ring. The second option is when the protective housing consists of two longitudinal halves of a tube with a decreasing diameter at the edges, where the two components are fixed with clamping rings.
When doing DIY repairs, some amateur craftsmen remove the protective cover and upper layer Winding insulation, having discovered a break, does not bother themselves with the labor-intensive replacement of the wire of the entire winding. Disconnect the end from the terminal on the power cord, and wind the wire with outside windings until they break. Then they make a careful twist at the burnout site, wind the wire, connect it back to the power cord terminal, and attach the outer layer of insulation. They put on a protective case, plug in the soldering iron and it works properly.
This DIY repair method is possible, but not recommended. The disadvantage of this method is that in the place of twisting the heating of the nichrome wire will be greater than in other parts of the chain. Ultimately, the operation of such a soldering iron will be short-lived. The winding will burn out in the same place. For reliable operation you'll have to rewind the whole reel.
If you need to achieve the same heating power, you need to wind a new coil with the same wire, with the same number of turns in each layer.
Different materials are used to insulate the winding layers:
- asbestos gaskets;
- heat-resistant fiberglass;
- mica tubes or plates.
Asbestos is considered the most practical; the plate can be soaked with water, after which it becomes elastic and takes on any shape that you mold with your own hands. The first layer of spiral is wound onto the dried coating, then the second layer of asbestos and the continuation of the winding, until the end of the wire.
The number of turns in each layer and the thickness of the insulation should be approximately the same. This condition ensures uniform heating. The remaining ends of the winding are connected to the power cord.
Connecting the winding to the power cord
To repair the insulating layer of the winding, mica tubes and plates are used, which have high thermal conductivity and are a reliable dielectric. The disadvantage of this material is its fragility - it is difficult to install, sometimes mica crumbles right in your hands.
With mechanical impacts on the protective body of the winding, the mica plates may collapse, which will lead to an interturn short circuit in the spiral.
The soldering iron tip is sharpened to a cone for convenient soldering of small elements. During operation, it requires periodic editing with a file.
Electric soldering iron tip shape
When winding a new coil at the calculated power, there is no absolute certainty that the rod will heat the elements that need to be soldered and the solder to a liquid state. It depends on the tip, the new one is larger, and with use it decreases. Solders also have different melting points.
All these factors influence the heating time and temperature to achieve the desired power consumption and temperature parameters. The soldering iron is turned on through a thyristor power regulator. This device allows you to automatically maintain desired temperature rod.
Calculation of required parameters
In order to repair a failed soldering iron, you can change its parameters, taking into account the intended purpose, i.e. what do you use a soldering iron for (soldering a pan or a microcircuit). In this case, special tables are used, where the following values are specified for selection:
- consumed electric power soldering iron;
- supply voltage;
- resistance of nichrome wire.
Required spiral resistance for different meanings power and voltage are pre-calculated and tabulated.
Selecting the resistance of the spiral (nichrome wire) according to the power and voltage of the soldering iron Ohm
| Power, watts | Voltage, Volts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 24 | 36 | 127 | 220 | |
| 12 | 12 | 48,0 | 108 | 1344 | 4033 |
| 24 | 6,0 | 24,0 | 54 | 672 | 2016 |
| 36 | 4,0 | 16,0 | 36 | 448 | 1344 |
| 42 | 3,4 | 13,7 | 31 | 384 | 1152 |
| 60 | 2,4 | 9,6 | 22 | 269 | 806 |
| 75 | 1,9 | 7,7 | 17 | 215 | 645 |
| 100 | 1,4 | 5,7 | 13 | 161 | 484 |
To rewind a soldering iron with a power of 36 W at a supply voltage of 220V, the table shows that the winding resistance should be 1344 Ohms. Next, you can take the existing wire, attach the Ohmmeter terminal to the end, move the second terminal along the unwound wire until it reads 1334 Ohm. At this mark, cut off the measured section and wind it onto the soldering iron coil.
Resistance of a meter nichrome wire to its diameter
| Dia- meter, mm | 1,0 | 0,9 | 0,8 | 0,7 | 0,6 | 0,5 | 0,4 | 0,3 | 0,2 | 0,1 | 0,08 | 0,07 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohm/m | 1,4 | 1,7 | 2,2 | 2,89 | 3,93 | 5,6 | 8,75 | 15,7 | 34,6 | 137 | 208 | 280 |
You can use the above table. Measure the diameter of the wire with a micrometer and use the table to determine the required length of wire in the coil. So, if the wire diameter is 0.08 mm, the resistance per meter will be 208 Ohms. The required resistance is 1334 Ohm / 208 Ohm = 6.4 m. This results in the length of the wire that should be wound on the coil.
The turns on the winding are laid closely, heating up red-hot, the scale of the nichrome coating forms an insulating interturn layer. When the length of the coil is not enough, an insulating layer, fiberglass, asbestos or mica is applied, and a second layer is wound. Almost every coil consists of several layers , It is very important that it is placed in a protective casing.
Video about repairs
How to repair a soldering iron and rewind it to 12 Volts is described in the video below.
From the above information it follows that having certain skills, tools, materials and knowledge in electrical engineering, repairing a soldering iron with your own hands is not a big problem.
An electric soldering iron is a hand-held tool designed for fastening parts together using soft solders, by heating the solder to a liquid state and filling the gap between the parts being soldered with it.
As you can see in the drawing electrical diagram The soldering iron is very simple, and consists of only three elements: a plug, a flexible electrical wire and a nichrome spiral.
As can be seen from the diagram, the soldering iron does not have the ability to adjust the heating temperature of the tip. And even if the power of the soldering iron is chosen correctly, it is still not a fact that the temperature of the tip will be required for soldering, since the length of the tip decreases over time due to its constant refilling; solders also have different melting temperatures. Therefore, to maintain optimal temperature soldering iron tips have to be connected through thyristor power regulators with manual adjustment and automatic maintenance the set temperature of the soldering iron tip.
Soldering iron device
The soldering iron is a red copper rod, which is heated by a nichrome spiral to the melting temperature of the solder. The soldering iron rod is made of copper due to its high thermal conductivity. After all, when soldering, you need to quickly transfer heat from the soldering iron tip from the heating element. The end of the rod is wedge-shaped, is the working part of the soldering iron and is called the tip. The rod is inserted into a steel tube wrapped in mica or fiberglass. A nichrome wire is wound around the mica, which serves as a heating element.
A layer of mica or asbestos is wound over the nichrome, which serves to reduce heat loss and electrically insulate the nichrome spiral from the metal body of the soldering iron.
The ends of the nichrome spiral are connected to the copper conductors of an electrical cord with a plug at the end. To ensure the reliability of this connection, the ends of the nichrome spiral are bent and folded in half, which reduces heating at the junction with the copper wire. In addition, the connection is crimped with a metal plate; it is best to make the crimp from an aluminum plate, which has high thermal conductivity and will more effectively remove heat from the joint. For electrical insulation, tubes made of heat-resistant insulating material, fiberglass or mica are placed at the junction.
The copper rod and nichrome spiral are closed with a metal case consisting of two halves or a solid tube, as in the photo. The body of the soldering iron is fixed on the tube with cap rings. To protect a person’s hand from burns, a handle made of a material that does not transmit heat well, wood or heat-resistant plastic, is attached to the tube.
When you insert the soldering iron plug into a socket, electric current flows to the nichrome heating element, which heats up and transfers heat to the copper rod. The soldering iron is ready for soldering.
Low-power transistors, diodes, resistors, capacitors, microcircuits and thin wires are soldered with a 12 W soldering iron. Soldering irons 40 and 60 W are used for soldering powerful and large-sized radio components, thick wires and small parts. To solder large parts, for example, heat exchangers of a geyser, you will need a soldering iron with a power of one hundred or more watts.
Soldering iron supply voltage
Electric soldering irons are produced designed for mains voltages of 12, 24, 36, 42 and 220 V, and there are reasons for this. The main thing is human safety, the second is the network voltage at the place where the soldering work is performed. In production where all equipment is grounded and there is high humidity, it is allowed to use soldering irons with a voltage of no more than 36 V, and the body of the soldering iron must be grounded. The motorcycle's on-board network has voltage direct current 6 V, passenger car– 12 V, cargo – 24 V. In aviation, a network with a frequency of 400 Hz and a voltage of 27 V is used.
There are also design limitations, for example, it is difficult to make a 12 W soldering iron with a supply voltage of 220 V, since the spiral will need to be wound from a very thin wire and therefore many layers will be wound; the soldering iron will turn out to be large and not convenient for small work. Since the soldering iron winding is wound from nichrome wire, it can be powered with either alternating or direct voltage. The main thing is that the supply voltage matches the voltage for which the soldering iron is designed.
Soldering iron heating power
Electric soldering irons come in power ratings of 12, 20, 40, 60, 100 W and more. And this is also no coincidence. In order for the solder to spread well over the surfaces of the parts being soldered during soldering, they need to be heated to a temperature slightly higher than the melting point of the solder. Upon contact with a part, heat is transferred from the tip to the part and the temperature of the tip drops. If the diameter of the soldering iron tip is not sufficient or the power of the heating element is small, then, having given off heat, the tip will not be able to heat up to the set temperature, and soldering will be impossible. At best, the result will be loose and not strong soldering.
A more powerful soldering iron can solder small parts, but there is a problem of inaccessibility to the soldering point. How, for example, to solder in printed circuit board a microcircuit with a leg pitch of 1.25 mm with a soldering iron tip measuring 5 mm? True, there is a way out; several turns are wound around such a sting. copper wire with a diameter of 1 mm and the end of this wire is soldered. But the bulkiness of the soldering iron makes the work practically impossible. There is one more limitation. At high power, the soldering iron will quickly heat up the element, and many radio components do not allow heating above 70˚C and therefore the permissible soldering time is no more than 3 seconds. These are diodes, transistors, microcircuits.
DIY soldering iron repair
The soldering iron stops heating for one of two reasons. This is a result of chafing of the power cord or burnout of the heating coil. Most often the cord frays.
Checking the serviceability of the power cord and soldering iron coil
When soldering, the power cord of the soldering iron is constantly bent, especially strongly at the point where it exits and the plug. Usually in these places, especially if the power cord is hard, it frays. This malfunction first manifests itself as insufficient heating of the soldering iron or periodic cooling of it. Eventually, the soldering iron stops heating.
Therefore, before repairing the soldering iron, you need to check the presence of supply voltage in the outlet. If there is voltage in the outlet, check the power cord. Sometimes a faulty cord can be determined by gently bending it where it exits the plug and soldering iron. If the soldering iron becomes a little warmer, then the cord is definitely faulty.
You can check the serviceability of the cord by connecting the probes of a multimeter turned on in resistance measurement mode to the pins of the plug. If the readings change when bending the cord, the cord is frayed.
If it is discovered that the cord is broken at the point where it exits the plug, then to repair the soldering iron it will be enough to cut off part of the cord along with the plug and install a collapsible one on the cord.
If the cord is frayed at the point where it exits the soldering iron handle or the multimeter connected to the pins of the plug does not show resistance when bending the cord, then you will have to disassemble the soldering iron. To gain access to the place where the spiral is connected to the cord wires, it will be enough to remove only the handle. Next, touch the multimeter probes successively to the contacts and pins of the plug. If the resistance is zero, then the spiral is broken or its contact with the cord wires is poor.
Calculation and repair of the heating winding of a soldering iron
During repairs or self-production electric soldering iron or any other heating device you have to wind the heating winding from nichrome wire. The initial data for calculating and selecting wire is the winding resistance of a soldering iron or heating device, which is determined based on its power and supply voltage. You can calculate what the winding resistance of a soldering iron or heating device should be using the table.
Knowing the supply voltage and measuring the resistance of any heating electrical appliance, for example a soldering iron, electric kettle, electric heater or electric iron, you can find out the power consumed by this household electrical appliance. For example, the resistance of a 1.5 kW electric kettle will be 32.2 Ohms.
| Table for determining the resistance of a nichrome spiral depending on the power and supply voltage of electrical devices, Ohm | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power consumption soldering iron, W | Soldering iron supply voltage, V | |||||
| 12 | 24 | 36 | 127 | 220 | ||
| 12 | 12 | 48,0 | 108 | 1344 | 4033 | |
| 24 | 6,0 | 24,0 | 54 | 672 | 2016 | |
| 36 | 4,0 | 16,0 | 36 | 448 | 1344 | |
| 42 | 3,4 | 13,7 | 31 | 384 | 1152 | |
| 60 | 2,4 | 9,6 | 22 | 269 | 806 | |
| 75 | 1.9 | 7.7 | 17 | 215 | 645 | |
| 100 | 1,4 | 5,7 | 13 | 161 | 484 | |
| 150 | 0,96 | 3,84 | 8,6 | 107 | 332 | |
| 200 | 0,72 | 2,88 | 6,5 | 80,6 | 242 | |
| 300 | 0,48 | 1,92 | 4,3 | 53,8 | 161 | |
| 400 | 0,36 | 1,44 | 3,2 | 40,3 | 121 | |
| 500 | 0,29 | 1,15 | 2,6 | 32,3 | 96,8 | |
| 700 | 0,21 | 0,83 | 1,85 | 23,0 | 69,1 | |
| 900 | 0,16 | 0,64 | 1,44 | 17,9 | 53,8 | |
| 1000 | 0,14 | 0,57 | 1,30 | 16,1 | 48,4 | |
| 1500 | 0,10 | 0,38 | 0,86 | 10,8 | 32,3 | |
| 2000 | 0,07 | 0,29 | 0,65 | 8,06 | 24,2 | |
| 2500 | 0,06 | 0,23 | 0,52 | 6,45 | 19,4 | |
| 3000 | 0,05 | 0,19 | 0,43 | 5,38 | 16,1 | |
Let's look at an example of how to use the table. Let's say you need to rewind a 60 W soldering iron designed for a supply voltage of 220 V. In the leftmost column of the table, select 60 W. From the top horizontal line, select 220 V. As a result of the calculation, it turns out that the resistance of the soldering iron winding, regardless of the winding material, should be equal to 806 Ohms.
If you needed to make a soldering iron from a 60 W soldering iron, designed for a voltage of 220 V, for power supply from a 36 V network, then the resistance of the new winding should already be equal to 22 Ohms. You can independently calculate the winding resistance of any electric heating device using an online calculator.
After determining the required resistance value of the soldering iron winding, the appropriate diameter of the nichrome wire is selected from the table below, based on the geometric dimensions of the winding. Nichrome wire is a chromium-nickel alloy that can withstand heating temperatures up to 1000˚C and is marked X20N80. This means that the alloy contains 20% chromium and 80% nickel.
To wind a soldering iron spiral with a resistance of 806 Ohms from the example above, you will need 5.75 meters of nichrome wire with a diameter of 0.1 mm (you need to divide 806 by 140), or 25.4 m of wire with a diameter of 0.2 mm, and so on.
I note that when heated by every 100°, the resistance of nichrome increases by 2%. Therefore, the resistance of the 806 Ohm spiral from the above example, when heated to 320˚C, will increase to 854 Ohms, which will have virtually no effect on the operation of the soldering iron.
When winding a soldering iron spiral, the turns are laid close to each other. When heated red-hot, the surface of the nichrome wire oxidizes and forms an insulating surface. If the entire length of the wire does not fit on the sleeve in one layer, then the wound layer is covered with mica and a second one is wound.
For electrical and thermal insulation of heating element windings the best materials is mica, fiberglass cloth and asbestos. Asbestos has an interesting property: it can be soaked with water and it becomes soft, allows you to give it any shape, and after drying it has sufficient mechanical strength. When insulating the winding of a soldering iron with wet asbestos, it must be taken into account that wet asbestos conducts electric current well and it will be possible to turn on the soldering iron to the electrical network only after completely dry asbestos.
A soldering iron is a device that is used to melt solder (tin) and apply it to the contact point of the parts that are being soldered.
You can also use a soldering iron to tin the object, that is, coat it thin layer solder.
Types of heating
Soldering irons are distinguished by the method of heating the working part (tip) into:
Helpful information:
- Electric soldering irons– the tip is heated using electricity.
- Hot air soldering irons– heating of the treated surface occurs under the influence of a thin stream of hot air.
- Arc soldering irons– heating, the working element is heated under the influence of an electric arc between the tip (tip) and the electrode placed inside the soldering iron.
- Socket and hammer- these are soldering irons, the tips of which are attached to fairly long metal handles and are heated using external heat sources.
- Gas soldering irons- are a gas burner.
- Infrared soldering stations– soldering is carried out using infrared radiation
The most common are electric soldering irons. They mainly differ in power and type of heater.
Electric soldering irons also include pulse soldering irons. A special feature of pulse soldering irons is that the tip heats up at the right moment for work. When working with such a soldering iron, the start button is pressed and the tip quickly heats up; if you release the button, the working part quickly cools down.
Types of heater
According to the type of heater, electric soldering irons are divided into soldering irons:
- With a ceramic heater - this soldering iron uses ceramic rods that heat up under the influence of electricity.
- WITH nichrome heater– these use a spiral made of nichrome wire.
Types by power
By power, electric soldering irons are conventionally divided into:
- Low-power - from 15W to 40W. Mainly used in radio electronics for “fine” soldering
- Average power – from 40W to 100W. Used for soldering and tinning wires and fairly large parts
- Soldering irons with power over 100W. Used for heating and soldering massive objects with high heat transfer
Soldering iron tip
Very important element The soldering iron is the tip (the part with which soldering is performed). There are stings various shapes– in the form of a beveled edge, a cone, a flat screwdriver, a needle, an ax. The most common is the blade in the form of a flat-head screwdriver. On such a tip, the solder is held well, and it is enough big square The tip allows you to warm up the part in a short period of time.
If the soldering iron tip is made of copper, without any coating, then its shape can be changed - by sharpening it with a file or forging it with a hammer. Before starting work with a new soldering iron, it is necessary to tin the iron. To do this, you need to heat up the soldering iron and, while hot, remove oxides from the tip using a small file. After this, dip the hot tip into rosin and solder. If this is not done, you will not be able to melt the solder with such a soldering iron, as the tip will turn black.
If the tip is coated with nickel, the so-called “fireproof” tip, then it cannot be processed.
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Almost every home has a soldering iron in its tool kit - a special device for soldering parts. The operating principle of this device is to melt tin (solder) and then apply solder to the edges of the parts being fused. In addition, using a soldering iron, you can coat the desired object with a thin layer of molten tin - tin it.
Soldering irons differ in tip heating technology into several types, these are:
- Electric soldering iron. The most common and popular type. Its sting is heated by electricity.
- Thermal air. A thin stream of hot air heats the surface to be treated.
- Arc. The surface is heated by an electric arc between the tip and the electrode placed inside the device.
- Hammer and end. The tips of this type of soldering iron are fixed on elongated handles; heating occurs under the influence of an external heat source.
- Gas. In other words, a gas burner.
- Infrared Soldering Station. The soldering process is carried out using infrared radiation.
Electric soldering irons also have their own varieties, differing in the type of power and type of heater: nichrome and ceramic. Pulse soldering irons also belong to electric soldering irons; their tip heats up at the moment when it is needed. Each type of device has its own functional features, distinctive characteristics, advantages and disadvantages.
Nichrome soldering iron
It is also called an electric soldering iron with a spiral heater, or ESP. The heating element of this tool is a spiral of thin nichrome wire through which an electric current passes. In more modern models There is a nichrome element built into the insulators.
Advantages:
- average price, availability;
- Impact resistance, the soldering iron is not sensitive to mechanical damage.
Flaws:
- sensitivity to stress; with intensive daily use, its coil burns out;
- The tip takes a long time to warm up.
Ceramic soldering iron
The heater is made in the form of a ceramic rod that is heated using electricity. Soldering irons of this type are more convenient, but the most common counterfeits are nichrome ones, in which only the insulator is ceramic. However, real ceramic ones are produced by a limited number of manufacturers, and there are many cheap, low-quality fakes.
Advantages:
- heating occurs quite quickly;
- the temperature is maintained using a control system;
- high power;
- small sizes;
Flaws:
- difficulties in identifying a fake;
- fragility of the heating element;
- inability to use replaceable tips;
- high price of the device.
Hammer soldering iron
Modern models are electric or heated from external heat sources (from an open fire). The name “hammer” comes from the design – a handle with a thick tip. The device allows you to solder large parts.
Advantages:
- low price;
- the ability to make such a soldering iron manually;
- good power (from 100 to 150 watts).
Flaws:
- little functionality;
- inability to regulate heating temperature.
Pulse soldering iron
Soldering irons of this type do not have constant heating, and the tip heats up when the button is pressed. For convenience, this device has a curved shape. Long-term soldering is not provided in this case, but it is convenient to use a pulse soldering iron for short-term work.
The tip is made of copper wire, it is heated by electric current. Modern companies produce pulse instruments with removable tips and a ceramic heater.
New type devices have additional functions, such as adjusting power and temperature, making it possible to solder both small and large parts.
Advantages:
- rapid heating of the tip;
- soldering parts of different sizes;
- high efficiency (heating of the tip directly during soldering).
Flaws:
- can only be used for short-term work.
Wireless soldering irons
The power of this type of device is relatively small; the soldering iron does not operate on mains power, but on batteries, and is used in cases where there is no electricity or the need to work in special conditions.
Advantages:
- fast heating;
- mobility and no need for a power supply network;
- small size.
Flaws:
- low power.
Portable USB soldering irons
These are small-sized soldering irons with USB power. This device can be powered by a car cigarette lighter and is designed for soldering small parts.
Advantages:
- mobility;
- small size;
- heats up quickly.
Flaws:
- low power.
Soldering iron with tin suction
This is a rather original and convenient device that is easy to use. It is best to choose a soldering iron with an insulated handle; it will ensure safety during operation and will last longer. Low-quality soldering irons with built-in solder suction are characterized by rapid failure.
Soldering iron for children
This is a device with low power - from 30 to 60 watts. There are electric, pulse and battery-powered ones. It is recommended to purchase a tool with a wooden handle.
Tip Types
Soldering iron tips have several varieties and are made of ceramic, copper, and can also have a silver, aluminum, or nickel coating.
copper sting
Such tips are installed in electric soldering irons.
Advantages:
- good thermal conductivity;
- heat capacity.
Flaws:
- oxidation of the rod and, as a result, a decrease in its functionality;
- such a tip has to be cleaned, it becomes thinner and soon needs to be replaced.
Nickel plated tip
This tip is also included in the design of electric soldering irons and devices with a ceramic heater.
Advantages:
- does not burn during operation;
- there is no need to regularly clean it.
Flaws:
- high price;
- fragility of the material.
Ceramic tip
Its body is made of ceramic, and the tip is usually copper, plated with nickel.
Advantages:
- thermal conductivity;
- corrosion resistance;
- no need for constant cleaning.
Flaws:
- high price;
- fragility of the ceramic case.
Shape of the tip
The shape of the tip depends on the type of work being done. However, some designs of soldering irons do not imply the use of replaceable tips, and in this case, replacing the tip becomes difficult and time-consuming. In addition, there are soldering irons with adjustable tip length.
The stings come in the form of a wedge (screwdriver), a rod with a beveled edge, cone-shaped, or needle-shaped. The most convenient, universal form is the form of a screwdriver, as it is suitable for performing various works. This shape allows you to quickly heat up required part, and the solder on such a tip holds better than on tips of other forms.
Soldering iron handle material
The soldering iron handle should be made of materials with low thermal conductivity. It can be a wooden handle, ebonite, as well as a handle made of carbolite and textolite. Plastic handles found in the cheapest models, they heat up quickly and can melt. Best choice there will be a handle made of wood, since it has the lowest thermal conductivity.
How to choose the right soldering iron
When choosing a soldering iron, you should be guided by basic criteria, such as its power, thermal stabilization and, of course, the price of the device.
Power
This indicator depends on the type of work. A power of up to 25 watts is suitable for soldering small electronic parts, a power of 40 watts is suitable for working with thick wires. Higher power, from 100 watts and above, is suitable for soldering large parts. The advantages of high-power soldering irons are their reliability and a wide range of functions, but their disadvantage is that such devices are not used in everyday life.
The power of a home soldering iron should be from 25 to 40 watts. A lower power rating will result in soldering taking a long time and the quality of the result will be questionable. Excessive power will make it impossible to solder parts that could simply burn out.
Thermal stabilization
Soldering irons with thermal stabilization significantly speed up the soldering process, improve its quality, and it becomes much more convenient to work, as they provide the opportunity not only to accurately set the temperature required for work, but also to maintain it. This is convenient for both beginners and professionals. The temperature regulator can be either in a separate case or built into the design of the soldering iron.
Advantages:
- automatic maintenance of the desired temperature;
- the danger of overheating is eliminated;
- With one soldering iron you can perform work that requires varying degrees of heating;
- there is no need to clean the soldering iron tip from scale.
Flaws:
- the original tip is not universal;
- fakes are common;
- takes a long time to heat up.
Soldering iron cost
Prices directly depend on the characteristics and functionality, type of heater, the presence or absence of a temperature controller, and the brand that produces the device. You can purchase an inexpensive soldering iron that has good characteristics and suitable for home work, you can choose a more expensive model with additional functions.
Inexpensive and budget soldering irons include devices costing from 80 to 600 rubles. Most often these are electric soldering irons with a copper tip and a power of 40 watts. This also includes ceramic soldering irons with a nichrome heater, a nickel tip and a power of 30 to 40 watts - their cost ranges from 300 to 600 rubles.
Soldering irons average price– pulsed, with a power of 70 watts (from 300 to 700 rubles), wireless and USB soldering irons, with a low power of up to 10 watts (from 300 to 1300 rubles).
A soldering iron with a durable tip and a film-ceramic heater with a power of 50 watts costs from 2500 to 5200 rubles.
Top Ten
KVT XZ-1 - 10th place
Non-contact multifunctional gas soldering iron. Well suited for soldering hard to reach places. It has three modes of operation - like a soldering iron, like a heat shrink hair dryer and like a gas burner. His Maximum temperature is 1300 degrees, and the temperature is 580 degrees, the design has a built-in system for smooth adjustment of the operating temperature, and the kit includes a case and 4 nozzles. Its cost is from 1900 to 2912 rubles.
Soldering iron KVT XZ-1
Dremel VersaFlame - 9th place
Gas soldering iron. It is a universal soldering station suitable for home soldering. It heats up quickly, and its continuous operation time is 75 minutes. Its maximum heating temperature is 1200 degrees, the device comes complete with 4 replaceable nozzles, and its cost ranges from 2680 to 4609 rubles.
Dremel VersaFlame Soldering Iron
Sigma 200W - 8th place
A pulse soldering iron made in the shape of a gun with a shock-resistant body. It has a built-in transformer, and the tip of this soldering iron is made of high quality steel. The set includes 3 replacement nozzles. The maximum heating temperature is 400 degrees. Its cost is about 800 rubles.
Video review of the soldering iron:
Soldering iron Sigma 200W
Lukey 852D Plus - 7th place
Hot air soldering station with a power of 350 watts and a maximum temperature of 480 degrees. It has an impressive weight, but at the same time it is simple and easy to use. The set includes a stand and holder for the hair dryer, which is equipped with an automatic shut-off function. Suitable for soldering microcircuits, as well as for repairing household appliances and electrical equipment. The device is equipped with a thermostat, and its cost ranges from 5250 to 6590 rubles.
Soldering iron Lukey 852D Plus
REXANT ZD-708 — 6th place
This is an electric soldering iron with a ceramic heater, equipped with a power regulator ranging from 30 to 50 watts. The conical tip heats up quickly, and the device itself is reliable. Its heat-resistant handle is made of transparent plastic. The maximum heating temperature is 200-450 degrees. Its cost is from 590 to 1099 rubles.
Learn more about the soldering iron in the video:
Soldering iron REXANT ZD-708
Lukey 852D Plus FAN - 5th place
Hot air soldering station, with a powerful air flow, adjustable power of 350 watts and a temperature of 480 degrees. The temperature is also adjustable, and the price of the device ranges from 449 to 5890 rubles.
Soldering iron Lukey 852D Plus FAN
CT-96 (CT-Tools) - 4th place
Ceramic soldering iron with temperature regulator - a special sensor sets the operating temperature (from 100 to 400 degrees), heating occurs within two minutes and the set heating level is stable during soldering. Its power is 50 watts, and the cost is about 530 rubles.
Soldering iron CT-96 (CT-Tools)
PROXXON EL 12 (28140) - 3rd place
An electric soldering iron with a temperature controller that provides constant, stabilized heating of the tip. Heats up quickly, within 10 seconds. The body of the soldering iron is protected from heat; in addition, the device is equipped with a backlight, is lightweight, and working temperature 250 degrees. The cost of such a soldering iron is from 1300 to 1550 rubles.
Soldering iron PROXXON EL 12 (28140)
REXANT HT-019 (ZD-210) — 2nd place
Electric soldering iron with vacuum suction of molten tin, well suited for home work. Much more convenient than soldering irons with conventional solder suction. The handle of the device is made of impact-resistant plastic. The power of the soldering iron is 40 watts, the operating temperature is 450 degrees, and the cost is from 280 to 520 rubles.
Soldering iron REXANT HT-019 (ZD-210)
Dremel VersaTip - 1st place
Dremel VersaTip non-contact gas soldering iron. Convenient, lightweight, it is universal and can perform the functions of a soldering iron, gas burner, hot knife and hair dryer. The operating time at minimum power is 90 minutes, and at maximum power – 30 minutes. Warming up occurs quickly, its maximum temperature is smoothly regulated, and reaches a maximum of 1200 degrees. The kit includes 6 nozzles, and the price of the device is from 2545 to 3199 rubles.
Dremel VersaTip Soldering Iron
When choosing a soldering iron, you should rely on the planned volume of work, the frequency of its use and technical characteristics specific device.
In the arsenal of any master who often deals with electrical appliances, cables and wiring in general, you must have a soldering iron. Some people store this device for years in a dusty box and use it as needed, while others work with this device on an ongoing basis. We will tell you in this article which soldering iron is better to choose for homework.
Manufacturers
The most better devices have always been and will be produced in Germany and Japan, and the most famous brands, which are distinguished by their reliability, requirements and quality, are Goot, Ersa, Hakko, Matrix and Weller. Using soldering irons from these manufacturers, you can always work with even the smallest details.
Moreover, soldering irons from these companies are used by both amateurs and beginners, as well as professionals. You can see photos of soldering irons in the article.
Design and operating principle
Like any other tool, a soldering iron has a special design, which includes a holder, a heater, a tip and a cord with a plug. The operating principle of this device is quite simple. When the plug is plugged into the outlet, the heating element heats up and transfers its energy to the tip.
The temperature at the tip of the tip reaches 450-500 degrees, which allows you to melt the solder in literally seconds. Solder can be tin, lead, copper, zinc, or an alloy containing several metals.
An electric soldering iron is designed to melt solder, which then flows into the cracks, which subsequently hardens and forms a tight connection.
Varieties
Most important question- how to choose a soldering iron, but it is even more important to understand the designs and operating principles of this device, since there are several types.
Nichrome
Nichrome thread is commonly used in electric soldering irons. This thread is usually made of nickel, since this material has high heat resistance. In standard devices, this thread envelops the body, the center of which is the rod. To insulate the heater, mica plates and fiberglass cloth are used.
The advantages include affordability, ease of operation and the ability to repair. Disadvantages include the duration of heating and fragility during intensive work, which takes a long time.
Ceramic
If we consider a real ceramic soldering iron, then its heating element will be made of ceramic, but modern manufacturers usually they simply replace the insulator with a ceramic one. In the original design this will not happen, since the entire rod that heats up is made of several components that are molded into each other.
It is very important to choose an original tool, which differs visually in its internals, as well as at a higher price. The advantages of such devices are faster heating, high power, longer service life and durability under high loads.
But the disadvantages include high cost, frequent fakes, thrifty attitude, since ceramics tend to break from impacts, as well as the impossibility of using non-original tips.
Pulse
The first two types work only in one mode, which supports constant heating, while pulse mode only works when the button is pressed. The shape often looks like the letter “L”, since a special handle is required with which it would be convenient to press the button.
A distinctive feature of such a device is that the work should be insignificant and intermittent, that is, according to rare demand. It also heats up quickly, has high performance, and can solder both large and small components. However, such a device cannot be used for large-scale or long-term work.
Induction
Considered the most modern solution, which is being used more and more often. Heating occurs due to the induction coil and magnetic field, so the structure of the device is significantly different from its counterparts. Very often you can find such a soldering iron with a regulator.
Excellent savings in energy consumption, maintains the required heating temperature, and the tip can be replaced with amazing ease. However, such a device costs much more, is part of a soldering complex and requires changing the type of tip at different temperatures.
There are also cordless soldering irons battery-powered and portable, powered by USB. When choosing, it is important to study the instructions on how to solder with a specific type of soldering iron.
Photos of the best soldering irons for home
