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MAINTENANCE/TROUBLESHOOTING/APPLICATION EXAMPLES

Top of Support & Service  >  MAINTENANCE/TROUBLESHOOTING/APPLICATION EXAMPLES  >  How to make maintenance and inspections of station-type soldering irons

How to make maintenance and inspections of station-type soldering irons

We recommend measuring tip-to-ground potential and tip-to-ground resistance in addition to tip temperature as your daily management for the station-type soldering iron.

Equipment required

Soldering tester Soldering tester FG-101B

 

Inspection 1. Checking the tip temperature

How to measure the tip temperature

  1. Press the SELECT button to set the mode to ”TEMP”.

  2. Wipe off the solder on the soldering iron before measuring.

  3. Apply a new coat of solder on the tip.

  4. Touch the tip on the sensor measurement part and feed some solder.

* Contact point or angle may differ according to the tip shape.

How to apply the tip to the measuring point of the sensor How to apply the tip to the measuring point of the sensor

  1. Place the tip on the measurement point horizontally.
  2. Place the central part of the pre-tinned tip end on the measuring point of the sensor.
  3. Make a measurement placing the tip end on the sensor gently.

Please do not press the tip end to the sensor too much not to break it.

OK
OK
No Good
No Good

( image of 191-212 discontinued )

Please do not move the tip until the display shows a stable temperature.

Measure the temperature in a place where there is no airflow from the air conditioner or the like.

Example of the measurement method according to tip shapes

B type, I type, D type
B type, I type, D type
<Measure the central part of the pre-tinned tip end>
BC型・C型 の測定例
BC type, C type (including the tips with tinned on cut-surface only)
<Measure the cut-surface>

  1. Read the value displayed.

  2. Repeat procedures 2 to 5 and record the highest temperature.

In case the measured temperature is very different from the set temperature

The measured temperature is higher than the set temperature. The measured temperature is higher than the set temperature.

Make temperature corrections. ( input an offset value / adjust the CAL )

Setting of the offset value
If “tip temperature” is higher than “set temperature”, input a negative offset value.
If “tip temperature” is lower than “set temperature”, input a positive value.
Offset indication -50/-90 000 050/090
Offset value input range -50℃/-90℉ 0℃ +50℃/+90℉
Tip temperature Decreases    Increases

Calculation method of offset value

  1. Measure the “tip temperature” and check the difference between “tip temperature” and “set temperature”.
  2. Insert the card to FX-951 and press”#” button to check the current offset value .
  3. Confirming the current offset value ［2］ and the difference in temperature ［1］,calculate a new offset value .

    Current offset value + Difference in temperature = New offset value

Ex.1 “set temperature”: 360℃　 “tip temperature”: 395℃
“offset value”: 10
  • Difference in temperature
    360℃ - 395℃＝-35℃
  • New offset value
    10 + (-35℃)＝-25

⇒ Input “ -25 ” as the new offset value.

Ex.2 “set temperature”: 360℃　 “tip temperature”: 320℃
“offset value”: -20
  • Difference in temperature
    360℃ - 320℃＝40℃
  • New offset value
    -20 + 40℃＝20

⇒ Input“20” as the new offset value.

CAL adjustment

Adjust the CAL knob using a tool like a screwdriver.

Please turn to the right to increase the temperature and to the left to decrease it.

A measured temperature is lower than the set temperature. A measured temperature is lower than the set temperature.

The following cases may be a cause.

  • The thermometer sensor deteriorated.

    A deteriorated sensor may not be able to measure temperature accurately and shows lower temperature. Replace it with a new one.

    Guideline for sensor replacement

    AS5000
    approx. 1,500 times
    191-212
    approx. 50 times
    ( image of 191-212 discontinued )
  • Any or all of the tip, tip enclosure, and/or nut are oxidized.

    If a tip, tip enclosure, and/or nut are oxidized, soldering iron may have poor heat transfer and show lower temperature. Replace the oxidized parts with new ones.

    HAKKO 907 with oxidized parts
    HAKKO 907 (discontinued) with oxidized parts
  • Soldering tip was changed after temperature adjustment ( change of offset value / CAL adjustment).

    A length or weight may differ per tip shape. So, changing a tip shape may change thermal capacity, and the tip temperature goes up or goes down. Make temperature adjust-ment (changing offset value / CAL adjustment) with the tip you use.

 

Inspection 2. Checking tip-to-ground potential

How to check tip-to-ground potential

Standard of normal value of tip-to-ground potential

It is said that the lower the tip-to-ground potential, the better.
The MIL standard specifies that the tip-to-ground potential is designated to be lower than 2mV; therefore, HAKKO performs shipping inspection in accordance with it.

* The MIL standard is a US military-based standard, which has been abolished at present.

  1. Plug the power plug of the soldering iron being measured to the power receptacle of the FG-101B and wait until the tip reaches the set temperature, which is to maximum.

  2. Press the SELECT button and change the mode to ”mV”.

  3. Press the AUTO ZERO button and wait until the display returns normal.

    An offset value brought by AUO ZERO is recorded in the unit. So, even if you powered it off, the offset value survives next measurement.

  4. After cleaning the tip, apply a coating of solder to it.

  5. Apply a coating of solder to the center of the conduction plate and heat it until a good soldering wet condition is achieved.

    To ensure good contact between the conduction plate and the soldering tip, it's necessary to apply solder coating on the conduction plate.

  6. When the display temperature is stable, read the value.

In case the tip-to-ground potential is high In case the tip-to-ground potential is high

If the heating element has deteriorated (oxidized) due to long-term use, electric current flows to P.W.B. and components from the tip during soldering and generate a harmful effect.

  • If the heating element has deteriorated (oxidized)
    Blackened heating element due to oxidation

    Replace the heating element with a new one.

  • If other parts have oxidized
    Remove oxides by rubbing the contact area between the parts with steel wool, etc., lightly.
    Remove the oxides on the tip head, rubbing it with steel wool or the like. Take off the dirts of flux, etc., on this area wiping it with alcohol.

    Remove the oxides with steel wool or fine sandpaper.

 

Inspection 3. Checking the tip-to-ground resistance

How to measure the tip-to-ground resistance

Standard of normal value of tip-to-ground resistance

It is said that the lower the tip-to-ground resistance, the better, as similar to tip-to-ground potential. The MIL standard specifies that the tip-to-ground resistance is designated to be lower than 5Ω; therefore, HAKKO performs shipping inspection with a stricter limit less than 2Ω .

* The MIL standard is a US military-based standard, which has been abolished at present.

  1. Plug the power plug of the soldering iron being measured to the power receptacle of the FG-101B and wait until the tip reaches the set temperature, which is to maximum.

  2. Press the SELECT button and change the mode to ”OHM”.

  3. Press the AUTO ZERO button and wait until the display returns normal.

    An offset value brought by AUO ZERO is recorded in the unit. So, even if you powered it off, the offset value survives next measurement.

  4. After cleaning the tip, apply a coating of solder to it.

  5. Apply a coating of solder to the center of the conduction plate and heat it until a good soldering wet condition is achieved.

    To ensure good contact between the conduction plate and the soldering tip, it's necessary to apply solder coating on the conduction plate.

  6. When the display temperature is stable, read the value.

In case tip-to-ground resistance is high In case tip-to-ground resistance is high

Oxide and flux stuck on the tip, tip enclosure and nut will cause the tip-to-ground resistance to become higher. As a result of higher tip-to-ground resistance, the tip-to-ground potential will also become higher.

  • Oxides on the tip, tip enclosure, and nut
    Remove oxides by rubbing the contact area between the parts with steel wool, etc., lightly.
    Take off the dirt of flux and etc., on this area wiping with alcohol.

    Remove the oxides with steel wool or fine sandpaper.