Doug,
        You would normally use a supported wire bead sensor (like on the
Hakko 191 or 192 Thermometer). You place the tip on the bead and then
flow solder onto it, simulating the load the iron sees during actual
soldering. Within seconds the temperature stabilizes and you can take
the reading off the display. An embedded thermocouple only provides an
arbitrary measurement based on wherever it is embedded, and is affected
little by load. If you want a system for fully compliant MIL-STD-2000
measurements, the Hakko 192 measures temp, tip-to-ground resistance and
leakage. Be prepared with your wallet, it's $1000+.

        Most soldering stations have an offset adjustment that allows
you to dial in the station display to match the actual tip temperature
measured. Once dialed in, you should check it against the thermometer at
different temperature settings used in your production to assure that it
stays in spec at different temperatures. Changing tip geometries can
also have an impact on actual vs. displayed.

        Some of the newer stations (such as the Hakko FM202)
automatically adjust the offset for different tips to take that variable
out of the equation....

Mike

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Doug
Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 2:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Solder Iron Tip Temperature & Calibration


What is the accepted procedure to "calibrate" the solder iron tip
temperature to MIL-STD-2000, +/-10 degrees of the selected temperature?
I would not expect the digital readout to match the solder iron tip as
measured using a "thermocoupled solder bead sensor" due to the expected
heat loss. Must I use an embedded thermocouple into a tip? Is the
digital readout required to match the tip temperature?

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