Mr. Kretsch:

If your company is obligated to meet IPC-A-610 requirements your 
hands are tied.  IPC-A-610 does address this on page 47, Table 
3-5.  The minimum protrusion requirement is that the lead end 
must be visible in the solder; however, there is a NOTE which 
allows an exception for PCBs greater than 2.3mm thick.

The obvious recommended solution is change the design to allow 
for sufficient clearance.  Without any further information, this 
appears to be a design oversight.  If this is not an option at 
the moment you need to make sure that whatever inspection you 
have in place looks 100% at the top side joints to ensure that a 
lead is at least going into the hole on the primary side of the 
board.  In circuit test, functional test or system test is going 
to be the real check to ensure you have a functional product.

Good Luck

Bruce Wooldridge
DSC Communications
IPC-A-610 Task Group Vice Chairman
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______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: ASSY:  Short leads in a PWA
Author:  [log in to unmask] at SMTPLINK
Date:    3/27/96 6:45 AM



     We're trying to stuff 10 lbs of components into a 5 lb bag.

     Due to a "non-existent" clearance between a PWA and a shielded case, 
     we would like to have certain components with lead lengths that are 
     not long enough to protrude through to the secondary side of the 
     board.  Thus, there would be no fillet for a solder joint.

     Has anyone had experience with this type of situation?  There is 
     nothing shown in IPC-A-610.  Any other recommended solutions?  Any 
     special inspection considerations?

     John R. Kretsch, P.E.
     Engineer, Design Assurance
     ADC Video Systems
     [log in to unmask]