Power source
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Network. Power from the mains - most often the usual household at 230 V, however, there are also "car" models at 12 V, with a connection to the cigarette lighter socket. This option is well suited for all types of soldering irons (except perhaps non-contact ones), it allows you to create a tool of almost any power with unlimited operating time. The main disadvantages of network models are the need for an outlet nearby, as well as the presence of a wire that limits mobility and, if handled carelessly, can get under the sting.
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USB port. Powered from the USB port is implemented in compact soldering irons of relatively low power used for small volumes of simple soldering. The advantage of such models over peers is the ability to work in the field due to the provision of energy supply from a laptop or power bank.
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Gas. Soldering irons that work by burning gas are, in fact, burners with advanced features. Gas enters the burner from a built-in reservoir, which in most models can be filled from a simple cartridge (similar to lighters). The key advantages of a gas tool are high power, the ability to reach high operating temperatures - more than 1000 ° C - and suitability for non-contact soldering (see "Type"). In addition, such soldering irons are autonomous and absolutely independent of the power supply. Among their disadvantages, one can note the difficu
...lty in handling and maintenance, due, in particular, to the presence of an open flame and the need to comply with relevant safety regulations.
- Battery. The power supply from the built-in battery makes the soldering iron self-contained and allows you to use it regardless of whether there are outlets nearby. And the absence of a network cable has a positive effect on the convenience of work. On the other hand, battery power is suitable only for the least powerful models - usually up to 10 W, the tool itself, all other things being equal, turns out to be noticeably heavier and more expensive than the mains one, its operation time is limited, and when the charge is exhausted, the outlet will still be needed.
- Batteries. Models powered by replaceable AA batteries and some of its derivatives. Due to their low power, such devices should not be considered as the main tools for performing soldering work. However, they are great for when you need to solder something away from a stationary power supply.Power
Rated power of the soldering iron; in models with adjustments (see below) — the maximum rated power. The more powerful the tool, the more intense the heat it provides, the better it is for working with large objects, such as soldering thick wires, repairing radiators, etc. However, excess power is just as undesirable as insufficient: a tool that is too “weak” will not achieve normal soldering quality, and a tool that is too “strong” will overheat the parts to be joined and may damage them (not to mention excessive power consumption). Therefore, you need to choose a soldering iron in terms of power, taking into account the work for which it is planned to be used.
So, low-power models up to 10 W are intended mainly for miniature parts and delicate work — like soldering microcircuits. The best option for domestic use is 25 – 35 W; for large elements, you can use more powerful models,
up to 50 W ; these same indicators will suit most radio amateurs. Soldering irons for
50 – 100 W are designed mainly for thick wires, found, for example, in the on-board networks of cars; and high power is typical for a tool designed for large structures: metal containers (pots, buckets, etc.), radiators of the same cars, etc.
A separate case are models for soldering plastic pipes (see "Type"): they give out at least 700 W, and in the most powerful models, the figures can exceed 2 kW. Here, the more powerful the
...tool is, the larger the pipes with which it can work: for example, 700 – 800 W is enough for parts with a diameter of 20 – 25 mm, and for 63 mm pipes it will take no less than the mentioned 2 kW.
Some soldering irons have power controls (see below) that allow you to adjust them to a particular situation and expand the possibilities of application.
Note that high power in itself does not mean a high operating temperature — it only facilitates and accelerates heating.Max. temperature
The highest temperature to which the soldering iron can heat the material being processed. This temperature should be high enough to melt the solder or other workpiece material (such as polypropylene in soldered pipes), but not too high so as not to overheat the joint. Therefore, the choice for this indicator depends on the features of the planned work.
Note that in most household soldering irons for 20 – 60 W, the maximum temperature varies between 300 – 400 °C — this is enough to work with most solders used in radio engineering. In more powerful contact models, as well as soldering stations (see "Type"), there are indicators of the order of 700 – 800 °C — this allows you to work without problems with refractory solders, the melting point of which starts from 450 °C. For models designed for plastic pipes, the standard indicator is 300 °C — it is this temperature (or slightly lower, about 280 °C) that is considered optimal for soldering polypropylene. And the highest temperatures — 1300 °C and more — are able to provide gas soldering irons (see "Power")
