Electronic – How to solder PCB

pcbsoldering

I have maybe question because of my first PCB I soldered yesterday.

I used a 2×8 cm PCB, and this is the circuit I did:

            A         I   J   K   L   M   N 

            o--      -D1-—o--SW1--o---VCC o 
            |         D1     SW1      REL                        
Ad 5V   X---o         D1  D2-SW1--o---CH1 o 
                      |   D2      |   REL                      
        X   o         R1  D2—-R2  R3  GND o 
                      R1      R2  R3  |                           
        X   o         R1  o   R2  R3  o   o 
                      R1      R2  R3  |                         
Ad GND  X---o         R1  o   R2  R3  o   o 
            |         R1      R2  R3  |                         
            O--      -R1--o---R2--R3--o   o 
  • A .. N are the columns of the PCB, I leave column B..H free for future additions (the VCC and GND lines are connected)
  • Dx are diodes, Rx are resistors, SW1 is a pin header for a switch and column – Column N is a pin header for a relay (module).
  • X are the connection 'terminals' of the PCB (on the left/right side, right side is unused)

However, during soldering, I noticed a few things and wonder what is best:

  • I had a lot of soldering to do from one hole to an adjecent hole, and sometimes more like the connection between SW1, CH1 and R3 (colums K, L, M). Since I used just soldering, it was like a big 'solder blob' … is it best to use some small wire instead? It will be very tiny wire(s)
  • For the long VCC and GND lines I used a wire which I bent (see column A and the Xes) and soldered them on various places.
  • I noticed it was very hard to solder adjecent lines (components close together), but leaving more space needs longer lines (and have to use wires instead of just solder?)

What are guidelines to make those 'interconnections' between adjecent holes?

And a side question: this is a 'double' sided board, but I don't see what it means, since the holes are connected anyway from the top and bottom side after soldering. Or do I miss something here?

Update 1

There was a discussion about my 'ascii' notiation… I will explain it a bit below.

The problem is, that I never have soldered on a proto/pcb/stripboard whatsoever, only did breadboarding. Since I want to be sure I don't mix up lines/columns, I like to make it visible before I start (and to see it fits).

I will leave the ASCII text above, however, to make it clear, I thought it's better using Excel. I also spaced out the colums more, so it's easier to solder.

The result is below.
enter image description here

Best Answer

And a side question: this is a 'double' sided board, but I don't see what it means, since the holes are connected anyway from the top and bottom side after soldering. Or do I miss something here?

Yes, the green PCBs have their holes connected on both sides, before and after soldering. Calling it "double sided" is very misleading, but "true" in some sense.


This question will gain several opinion-based answers, anyhoo... disregarding that, this is what I recommend. Might be interesting since I use the exact same boards as you.

PCB with components soldered on

larger image

Circuit I made and used as blueprint (ish)

(Ring inverter with LEDs on the other side)

As you can see, I don't limit myself only to the plane of either side, I also go up a couple of millimeters and use that space as well. The metal pieces are from trimmed LED legs and large round resistors - no, I haven't ruined tons of LEDs so I can have small legs that work great with soldering. I simply don't throw away the legs of LEDs, I reuse them and cut them accordingly.


another circuit board

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Circuit I made and used as blueprint

(Half bridge)

But using regular uninsulated copper wire works great too. Notice how I use the holes as a meeting point for two or more components. You usually don't need to space things apart. SOT-23 is great for 2.54 mm spacing.


(Modified version of this one that actually worked IRL)

I assume you are going to work with ICs - use their legs as well.

image showing 8-pin DIP IC with an SMT diode soldered between two legs

larger image

Circuit I made and used as blueprint

It's ugly, but it's your ugly thing. And you can't say that something you made is ugly, therefore it's handsome.

You probably cannot see it, but legs 3 and 5 are connected underneath the IC and soldered. (IC = LM393)

On the other side there are two transistors, and again I use the holes as nodes / meeting points. I rarely connect pins to different holes and then bridge the connection.