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July 2009

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Subject:
From:
Gene Felder <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Date:
Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:39:03 -0700
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There is an ESD Association document ESD STM13.1-2000 Electrical
Soldering/Desoldering Hand Tools  "This standard test method provides
electric soldering/desoldering hand tool test methods for measuring the
electrical leakage and tip to ground reference point resistance and provides
parameters for EOS safe soldering operation."

A number of companies manufacture Soldering Tip Voltage Testers designed to
test each time the soldering tip makes contact with the solder station's
sponge, and if out-of-spec, will alarm.

Per the ESD Association ESD Handbook ESD TR20.20 Compliance Verification
section 4.3.3.2 Tools and Equipment checklist includes: "4. Are soldering
irons tested for tip to common point ground potential to prevent EOS damage
to components?"

"The working part of AC powered tools should be capable of providing a
conductive path to ground. New powered hand tools such as soldering irons
typically should have a tip to ground resistance of less than 1.0 ohm.
NOTE: This resistance may increase with use but should be less than 20.0
ohms for verification purposes.
A low resistance ground is needed as many soldering iron controllers adjust
tip temperature either by switching the iron on or off at limits, or by
using high frequency effect. The result can be electric fields, and a low
impedance path to ground will limit high potentials from being accumulated
which can damage ESDS [ESD sensitive items]."  [ESD Handbook ESD
TR20.20-2008 section 5.5.2.2 Electrical Hand Tools]

Gene Felder
[log in to unmask] 


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kane, Joseph E (US SSA)
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 11:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

If our irons were failing, we would tighten up the testing frequency.  
But I probably should have mentioned that we've used Metcals for many 
years, have several hundred systems in use, and very rarely see a problem.

With these units, there is no separate ceramic heater.  The heating
element and the temperature sensing/control are built into the 
tip cartridge, and if there is any oxidation going on inside the cartridge, 
we haven't seen it.  When the cartridge wears out, it doesn't oscillate 
in temperature, or induce voltage spikes, or zoom in resistance.  Either
we lose the tip plating, or it just quits and stops heating.

Tip cartridges don't last more than a month or two, so they're often
replaced several times between tests.

Of course, this is a specific technology, and your mileage may vary.

-Joe 

-----Original Message-----
From: Stadem, Richard D. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 1:40 PM
To: TechNet E-Mail Forum; Kane, Joseph E (US SSA)
Subject: RE: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

What do you do if you find, for example, 5 stations that fail, say one off
by as much as 75 degrees F, two for high resistance (100 ohms) between tip
to ground, and two that tested 30 mv tip to ground? Do you go back and
determine which of the CCAs may have been damaged by these 5 irons in the
past 6 months? 
If you only test the irons every 6 months, why bother to test at all?
You could have been damaging components from the voltage present at the tip
for 6 months before you discovered the issue.
It depends on what type of solder irons you are using. However, even the
newest ones have the capability to damage components either from an induced
current or from ESD. All three of these issues are usually related to an
oxide buildup between the ceramic heater and the tip, and yes, this does
occur even in Metcal-type tips. Never mind the certification letter they
send with each one. That is only for calibration, and does not cover a
defective station.
The limits you use are not too stringent; the frequency of testing is the
issue I see.

-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kane, Joseph E (US
SSA)
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:06 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

Every six months, we check:

Tip temperature variation +/- 5C
Tip-to-ground resistance 2 ohms max.
Tip-to-ground potential 2 millivolts max. 

These tests are based on an old mil spec, and while they are a little more
stringent than J-1, our irons meet these limits, so we haven't seen the need
to change.

-Joe


-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Jeff Popp
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 9:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] Soldering Iron Verification

We are attempting to establish a calibration/verification schedule for our
hand-held soldering stations as recommended in the J-STD-001, Appendix B.

It states that frequency should be in line with manufacturer's
recommendations.

I was curious if anyone else has a calibration/verification schedule
established for their soldering irons, and if so, what frequency? What other
controls, if any, do you apply?

Best Regards,
Jeff

Jeff Popp
Quality Assurance Technician
Compunetix
2420 Mosside Blvd.
Monroeville, PA 15146
(412) 858-6184

[cid:[log in to unmask]]

"Difficulty is the excuse history never accepts." ~ Edward R Murrow


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