How many types of electric soldering irons for electronics are there?
For electronic soldering tasks, where delicate electronic components and printed circuit boards (PCBs) are handled, the most common electric soldering irons are fine-tip soldering irons. Depending on the type of components to be soldered, you will need to use a soldering iron with different power levels. It is not the same to solder a conventional through-hole resistor as it is to solder a surface-mounted microcomponent. You will not use the same power or tip size. But in addition to fine-tip soldering irons, there are others. We will quickly list them all and explain the differences:
Fine-tip electric soldering iron:
Fine-tip soldering irons have a thin, pointed tip that facilitates soldering of electronic components in tight spaces and PCBs with precision.
Interchangeable and long-lasting tip: It is recommended that the soldering iron has models of interchangeable tips to adapt to the work to be done or our soldering preferences. In this regard, the more variety of soldering tips available, the better. It is also recommended that the tip has a long lifespan.
Temperature control: Many fine-tip soldering irons have adjustable temperature control, such as the ATTEN ST-2150D, which allows you to select the appropriate temperature according to the type of soldering and the components used. They do not have as advanced features as a soldering station, but they allow temperature adjustment at the tip. This is crucial to avoid damaging heat-sensitive components and is very useful if, for example, you want to use the same tool for microsoldering and other general soldering tasks. Obviously, you will not use the same tip sizes in both cases, so this feature is closely related to the previous one.
Quick heating: These soldering irons usually heat up quickly, allowing you to start soldering quickly and efficiently.
Compact size: Fine-tip soldering irons are lightweight and compact, making them easy to handle and transport.
Ergonomic handle: Most models have ergonomic handles that provide comfort during extended use.
Portability: They are ideal for fieldwork or in places where mobility is needed.
Additional features: Some high-quality fine-tip soldering irons may include additional features, such as power-saving functions or automatic shut-off systems to conserve the soldering iron's lifespan and ensure safety.
Temperature-controlled soldering station:
These soldering stations provide precise control of the soldering iron tip's temperature, which is crucial when soldering heat-sensitive electronic components. You can adjust the temperature according to your specific job requirements. On our website, these stations are in another section where you can see them and we explain more about the characteristics and/or differences of these work tools. If you want to see the soldering station section, you can find it here: Soldering Stations
Electric hammer soldering irons:
They have a relatively similar appearance to a hammer and are used in power or electrical applications, in jobs where a larger amount of heat is needed. This type of electric soldering iron is suitable for soldering wires, connectors, terminals, and larger electrical components used in power systems, electrical installations, and other high-power applications.
Some typical features of electric hammer soldering irons used in power electronics or electrical applications include:
Higher power: Unlike low-power soldering irons used in electronics, these soldering irons usually have higher power, ranging from 150 to 300 watts or even more, to handle larger soldering and larger components.
Appropriate soldering tip: Depending on the specific application, different types of soldering tips can be used, such as conical or specialized tips, to ensure a solid electrical connection.
Temperature control: Uncommon but some models can offer temperature control to adapt to different types of soldering and materials.
Higher soldering capacity: These soldering irons are designed to handle higher currents and soldering jobs that require greater strength and durability.
Heat-resistant handle: Since they can generate more heat than low-power soldering irons, they usually have heat-resistant handles for user safety and comfort.
Use in electrical applications: They are suitable for work in electrical systems, such as soldering wires, terminals, electrical connections, and other components related to electricity.
Soldering guns:
Soldering guns often have higher power than pencil-type soldering irons. Instant soldering is desired in some cases, and other times automatic solder feed is sought, so in both cases, they usually have a trigger. Types:
Soldering guns without solder feed: These soldering guns have a trigger, and when it is pressed, the soldering iron's resistance comes into operation and heats up. In some models like ARION, some models of Weller Expert UCK8100, etc., the tip itself is the resistance, and then soldering is instantaneous. These are old models that have a transformer that adapts the mains voltage to the resistance voltage at the rear of the soldering iron, so they are bulky. They are the fastest, and the tip deteriorates more rapidly than in others. There are other models in which instead of the tip being the resistance, they apply a high power to a small tip, as is the case with JBC Instant. In both cases, the soldering iron only consumes energy when the trigger is pressed. Finally, there are others in which the soldering iron has a continuous operating power of 25 or 30W, and when the trigger is pressed, the power increases to 100 or 130W. The trigger cannot be used continuously, but it can be used to heat up more quickly or to perform soldering where more power is needed.
Soldering guns with solder feed: They have a spool of solder wire housed in the rear and a cannula attached to the trigger mechanism through which the solder wire runs. These soldering guns have normal working powers for electronics, which are around 30W, and unlike soldering guns without solder feed, they consume energy continuously regardless of whether the trigger is pressed or not. And when the trigger is pressed, the mechanism itself dispenses solder wire at the soldering point. The advantage of this soldering iron is that you do not need a second hand to apply the solder. An example would be the JBC Pulsmatic.
Soldering crucibles or soldering pots:
These consist of a container or receptacle used to melt and manipulate solder. Crucibles are common in environments where a constant supply of molten solder is required to tin cables and component terminals, and other electronic assembly work.
Heat-resistant container: Crucibles are made of materials that can withstand high temperatures without melting or damage, which is essential when working with molten solder.
Solder melting: Crucibles are used to melt solid solder inside them, turning it into a liquid state. This allows the solder to be applied to electrical connections and electronic components during the soldering process.
Temperature maintenance: Some crucibles are equipped with heaters to maintain the solder at a constant temperature and prevent it from hardening while soldering.
Impurity removal: Crucibles may be designed to help separate and remove impurities from the solder, such as oxide, ensuring that the solder is of high quality and free of contaminants.
Flow control: In some cases, crucibles may have a spout or nozzle to facilitate precise application of the solder to electrical connections.
Crucibles are essential tools in the electronic soldering process, as they provide a constant supply of molten solder, facilitating the bonding of electronic components to PCBs and other circuits. The choice of the right crucible will depend on the specific application and the needs of electronic soldering.
It is important to choose a soldering iron that suits your specific electronic soldering needs and has the appropriate safety features to protect components and PCBs from damage. Additionally, it is always important to use the correct soldering techniques and follow safety practices when soldering in electronics.
What power of soldering iron should I buy for electronics?
The type of application, the components and/or the materials to be welded will require one power or another. Approximately:
7..8W: For SMD components
11..15W; In integrated circuits, small-signal, but through-hole transistors
25..30W: In general for almost all electronics. Even for DIL integrated circuits it depends on how skilled or fast we are at soldering.
35..60W: Soldering general audio, video, industrial connectors that are not excessively large
90..100W: Really thick cables and electricity or power electronics.
But as we said in the previous point, if the soldering iron is powerful, has temperature regulation and a wide variety of tips, like the ATTEN electric pencil soldering iron, I can have a soldering iron with different tips depending on the application.