Learning how to solder on printed circuit boards is an essential skill for anyone working with electronics. Whether you’re a hobbyist, technician, or involved in electronic manufacturing, knowing how to solder a PCB circuit board properly ensures reliable electrical connections and long-lasting functionality.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know—from the materials used in PCB board soldering to the techniques for using a soldering iron circuit board setup. If you’re wondering how to solder a printed circuit board or just want to improve your current skills, this article is for you.
What Is Solder and Why Is It Used on Printed Circuit Boards?
When you solder on printed circuit boards, you’re using a fusible metal alloy to join electronic components to the board. Most commonly, solder is made of tin and lead (in a 63% tin, 37% lead ratio), known as eutectic solder. This specific blend melts at a lower temperature and creates a strong, reliable bond between soft metals like copper, silver, and gold.
Copper is the most widely used conductor in PCB board soldering. When you solder on printed circuit boards, you’re primarily bonding components to copper pathways that carry electrical signals.
Properties of Solder
Different types of solder come with different melting points and consistencies. As solder cools, it transitions through a pasty phase, which makes it flexible and ideal for forming secure connections. This flexibility allows for molecular interpenetration between the solder and metal surfaces.
Solder comes in various gauges (wire thicknesses), and the choice depends on your specific application. For surface-mounted components, a finer solder wire is preferred. Lead-free solder, made of tin, silver, and copper, is also widely used—especially in modern electronics and for environmental compliance. However, it has a higher melting point, making it slightly more difficult to use, particularly for beginners learning how to solder printed circuit boards.
Layers of a Printed Circuit Board
Before diving into how to solder a PCB circuit board, it helps to understand its structure. A typical PCB contains multiple layers, including:
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LPI (Liquid Photo Imageable): The green top layer you often see, which insulates and prevents electrical shorts.
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Copper Layers: Where all the actual connections and circuits are formed.
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Components: Resistors, capacitors, ICs, and other parts are attached to the board through soldering.
When you solder on printed circuit boards, you’re connecting these components in a way that enables electrical flow between them while keeping everything mechanically stable.
Tools You Need: Soldering Iron Circuit Board Setup
To solder on printed circuit boards, you need a few essential tools:
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Soldering Iron: Either temperature-controlled or fixed-temperature.
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Solder Wire: Choose the right gauge and composition for your project.
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Flux: Helps the solder flow smoothly and removes oxides from metal surfaces.
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Fume Extractor: Modern flux is non-toxic, but fumes should still be safely removed.
Flux is particularly important during PCB board soldering as it improves the bond quality and helps solder adhere better to metal surfaces.
Basic Technique: How to Solder a PCB Circuit Board
Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to solder on printed circuit boards:
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Heat the Joint: Use your soldering iron circuit board setup to heat the metal pad and component lead simultaneously.
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Apply Solder: Once heated, apply solder to the joint—not the iron.
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Let It Flow: The solder will flow into the joint, creating a clean connection.
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Cool and Solidify: Remove the iron and let the solder cool naturally to form a solid bond.
A good solder joint is shiny, cone-shaped, and free of cracks or excess solder blobs.
Through-Hole vs. Surface Mount Soldering
When you solder on printed circuit boards, you’ll encounter two main techniques:
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Through-Hole: Components are inserted into holes and soldered from the opposite side. This method is common in older or heavy-duty boards.
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Surface Mount: Components are placed on the surface, and the solder is applied either manually or in a reflow oven. This is the modern standard for compact electronics.
Understanding the difference helps you determine how to solder a printed circuit board depending on the type of components you’re using.
Trust the Experts for Precision Soldering
Mastering how to solder on printed circuit boards takes patience, the right tools, and some practice. If precision and performance matter—especially for commercial products—it’s often best to rely on professional PCB board soldering services. Nova Engineering has skilled technicians use high-end equipment to deliver consistent, high-quality results with every solder joint.
Whether you’re just learning how to solder a PCB circuit board or brushing up your technique, remember: clean connections and the right temperature are key when using a soldering iron circuit board setup.
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