What screw size should be used to mount a TIP31 in a TO220 package to a bare PCB (no heatsink?) I presume a nut will also be required on the other side, so would appreciate a part number for that too. (I'm not too clued up on mechanical stuff, so go easy on me.)
Electronic – What screw should I use to mount a TO220 package
mountto220
Related Solutions
The information is available in the datasheet as you might expect (fourth hit on google).
Here is the relevant bit (page 8 of the datasheet):
So Gate, Drain, Source, and Drain on the tab.
What's your rationale for not wanting to solder to the terminals of the pot in Fig.1 ?
They are designed to be soldered to wires. The best practice is to hook the wire through the little hole, and then solder it. (Special MIL-spec bonus if you can prevent solder from wicking up into the stranded wire.) For strain relief, add heat shrink such that it covers the terminal and some length of wire.
Update. In response to Blake's comment.
I can give you a couple of tips on soldering.
Solder should melt on the pin (that included wires) rather than on the soldering iron. That means that the pin should to be heated up sufficiently.
Flux helps remove oxidation. If you use no-clean flux, you don't need to clean it.
Leaded solder has a lower melting temperature, so it's easier to use than lead-free.
May be, I'll be able to find a good tutorial video and post a link in another comment. Also, there ought to be a good "soldering tutorial" thread or wiki on this board too.
Best Answer
I use a panheaded M3 screw with a matching nut for TO220.
Put the nut on top of the package so that any excess screw length sticks upwards.
It may be cheaper to buy machine screws (and nuts) of similar thickness at a nearby hardware store. My local screw dealer charges by weight, so I end up paying pennies (cents) for what I need in my hobby projects.
What matters most is that your screw fits in the mounting hole, which is about 3.5mm in diameter.