We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electrical

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Desoldering?

By H.R. Childress
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 8,513
Share

Desoldering describes the process of removing solder to separate electrical components. Someone may need to desolder to replace a component or some wiring, or just to remove excess solder from a joint. Either a desoldering pump, sometimes called a "solder sucker," or a solder wick or braid is required to desolder.

To desolder a joint, a person must use a soldering iron as well as one of the desoldering tools. The soldering iron melts the solder so it can easily be removed from the circuit. A 15 to 30 Watt soldering iron usually is best for electronics and circuit boards. Soldering guns should not be used, however, as they could damage circuit boards and electrical components.

Preparation for desoldering is the same no matter which tool is used. The soldering iron should be heated to about 770°F (about 400°C) to desolder electrical components. Its tip should be tinned — that is, coated in fresh solder and then wiped off on a wet sponge.

The hot soldering iron is held to the joint long enough to melt the solder if a desoldering pump is being used. The pump is cocked or primed by pushing down the plunger. It is then held against the joint with melted solder, and when the trigger is pulled, the pump sucks up the solder. If the pump does not get all the solder off the first time, it is sometimes necessary to add fresh melted solder to the joint to loosen the old solder so it will come off with the new.

In one method for using a solder wick or braid, the soldering iron may be used to heat the joint as for a solder sucker, then the wick is placed in the melted solder. Capillary action sucks the solder into the wick material. Alternatively, the solder wick may be placed against the unheated joint, then the soldering iron is pressed against the wick, and the solder is sucked up by the wick material as it melts. This method generally works better for small joints. For either method, the used wick is cut off after it is filled with solder.

A good desoldering job should remove all the old solder so the component can be replaced or so the joint can be resoldered. After the solder is removed, a component may drop off easily or it may need some gentle help from a pair of pliers. Resoldering should be done carefully to prevent the need to desolder again.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-desoldering.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.