Part of your IPC soldering certification training is doing the actual work, and don’t get disappointed if you make mistakes at first. It’s better to realize your mistake earlier during your IPC online classes. It will certainly make you a better tradesman. By getting an IPC soldering certification, you’ll learn how to resolve these common soldering problems and prevent them from happening in the future.
Disturbed Joint
It I caused by any movement through mechanical, human, or both as the solder was solidifying. The joint surface appears to be frosted, crystalline, or rough. It might also display a ripple pattern on the surface of the joint.
- Repair: You can fix a disturbed joint by reheating and allowing it to cool without any movement.
- Prevention: It can be avoided by doing proper preparation, including stabilizing the work in a vise and immobilizing the joint.
Cold Joint
Cold and disturbed joints can look similar, but the cause isn’t the same. It occurs when the solder doesn’t melt completely. It is described by being rough, rigid, and uneven in appearance due to insufficient heat. Cold joints are unreliable and susceptible to cracks and failure over time.
- Repair: It can easily be corrected by reheating the joint using a hot iron until the solder flows.
- Prevention: Ensure that the soldering iron has been adequately pre-heated and with enough power when it’s operating.
Overheated Joint
It can happen if the solder hasn’t yet flowed well, or the temperature of soldering iron was set too high.
- Repair: You can only repair the overheated joint after cleaning it. Carefully scrape the burnt flux with the tip of a knife or using a toothbrush with little isopropyl alcohol.
- Prevention: Always use a clean and hot soldering iron to keep the formation of overheated joints.
Solder Starved Joint
It is a joint that has not enough solder in it. Solder starved joints are not strong joints and may develop stress crack and fail in the long run.
- Repair: Since there is insufficient solder, reheat the joint and add more solder to have a reliable joint.
- Prevention: Always make sure to check if the solder amount is already sufficient or not.
Untrimmed Leads
Leads that are too long pose a risk of touching other leads that can cause unwanted short circuits. Keep in mind that even if only one untrimmed lead remains, it can bend and create contact with adjacent traces.
- Repair: Trim all unnecessary leads just at the top of the solder points.
- Prevention: This joint mistake is dangerous and should always be avoided. Make it a habit to trim unnecessary leads in the future.
Solder Bridge
It can occur if the two separate joints accidentally melt together due to excessive solder applications. The bridge will create an unintentional connection which can affect the functionality of the board.
- Repair: In IPC online classes, fixing solder bridge is taught with the use of a solder sucker or wick to get rid of the excess solder.
- Prevention: Make sure to use only enough solders to avoid this problem in the future.
