Badgelife Village SAOs (DC34 / 2026)

Soldering 101

I. The Basics & Vocabulary

Soldering:

The process of making an electrical connection by melting low-temperature metal alloys around component leads
Soldering is just as much an “Art” as it is a “Science”
Pronounced “soddering” in American English – the “l” is silent!

Vocabulary:

Circuit Board - the board part without components
PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) - The circuit board along with all of its components
Components - the parts on the board
IC (Integrated Circuit) - Multiple components (like resistors, transistors, and capacitors) packaged together into a single unit
Pins - each individual metal lead on a component
Through hole component – has leads that physically pass through the board
Surface mount component – is flat and adheres to one side of a board
Copper plate - the copper ground plane inside the board
Trace – the underlying metal that connects components on a board (can be difficult to see – light green in this photo)
Pad – the exposed metal that components adhere to (gold in this photo)
Silk screen – the designs/writing on a board
Solder Mask - a protective layer applied over printed circuit board copper traces to prevent short circuits, stop solder bridging, and block environmental corrosion. Also gives boards fun colors!
Tinning – Putting a small amount of solder on the tip of the iron to protect it/prevent oxidation
Soldering Iron
Tip cleaning surface (sponge or brass)

Soldering Safety:

THIS WOMAN NO LONGER HAS FINGERPRINTS!!!!! DO NOT HOLD THE IRON LIKE A PEN. ONLY HOLD THE PLASTIC/RUBBER HANDLE

The components, especially the exposed metal parts, will also get hot!

Be aware of what is around you

Tin the tip and return the iron to the holder when you are not soldering. Tinning the tip prevents oxidation and damage to the iron

Always tin the tip of the iron when you are done soldering

Don’t solder while circuit is powered

Use a well ventilated and lighted work space

Don’t touch the solder tip – it’s hot (duh)

Static discharge protection – not a hazard for you but can trash some sensitive components

Watch for flying leads when clipping them

Through-Hole Soldering Process:

Turn on soldering iron and let it get to temperature

Tin the tip using a small amount of solder

Clean the tip using a sponge or brass tip cleaner

Tin the tip again

Install the component and hold in place with a physical connection (you can use tweezers if you want! don’t burn your hands!)

Heat the circuit board pad and component lead – ensure the tip is touching BOTH the pad on the PCB and the component

Touch solder to the component lead and pad - melt the right amount of solder (art)

You'll figure out what the right amount is with practice! Start with less, but it's ok if you use too much

Remember, heat transfer is more important than pressure!

The melting solder will flow around the joint in a process called wetting

Surface tension will produce a nice Hershy’s Kiss looking joint

Remove solder

Keep the tip of the iron in place a bit longer

Remove heat (art)

Allow the joints to cool

Inspect the connection (art and good eye)

Clip excess leads if needed

Cold solder joints are the cause of most circuit problems! (Don’t ask us for proof)

If your joint is cold, try heating the joint a bit more. Don’t add more solder until you’ve tried reheating/are sure you need it

Bridged pins (pins that are connected together by solder that shouldn't be ) are also the cause of most circuit problem! If you need to remove solder, here's how to use the provided copper braid:

Press the braid to the joint, then press your iron to the braid. The braid will absorb some of the solder
Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Surface Mount Soldering Process:

BEFORE placing your component on the board, heat one of the pads and add solder
Get ready to use your tweezers!
While heating that pad with your iron on one hand, pick up your component with tweezers with your other hand
Slide your component horizontally onto the heated/soldered pad
While holding the component in place, remove the iron
Wait for the solder to cool, then remove your tweezers
Heat the other pad of the component and add solder, let cool

Your turn!

All components should be in the bags
Get your LEDs from the front table
The silkscreen (writing) on the board will show you which way the components go, but you can ask a volunteer if you’re not sure!
THE SIDE OF THE BOARD THE COMPONENT IS ON DOES MATTER. PUT THE COMPONENTS ON THE SAME SIDE AS DISPLAYED IN THE PHOTOS

Level 1 Guide:

Resistors:
- Resistors don't have an orientation! Put them any which way you like
LEDs:
- LEDS HAVE AN ORIENTATION! There is a right way and a wrong way. The long end is positive
SAO v2.0 Connector:
- This connector has an orientation! The gap in the housing matches the gap on the silkscreen
SAO v1.0 Connector:
- This connector doesn't have an orientation! Put it any which way you like

Level 2 Guide:

Through-Hole Resistors:
Through-Hole LEDs:
- Remember that LEDs have an orientation!
Surface Mount Resistors:
- Surface mount resistors also don’t have an orientation! Still put them any which way you like
Surface Mount LEDs:
- Surface mount LEDs also have an orientation! The arrow on the LEDs points down/to the bottom of the U-shaped silkscreen
Female SAO v2.0 Connector:
- This connector has an orientation! The key in the housing matches the bump-out on the silkscreen
Male SAO v2.0 Connector: