PCB Assembly

Are there any guidance on recommended package size and type for a surface mount linear regulator IC on my board that will be hand-soldered?

My preference for higher power is a DPAK. Second to that is a SOT-223. These both have tabs that will transfer a lot of heat. Unless it is 50mA or less, don’t bother with packages that only attach to the board with pins or legs. These things tend to heat up like crazy. T hey don’t dissipate much power at all.

Also, don’t forget to give a good copper area on top. Additionally, you can do a pad on the bottom and attach with several vias, but the one on the component side will be most important.

For hand soldering packages like this with significant thermal mass, nothing beats a hot-air gun. A metcal with a big spade tip is also great, but the hot air gun will save your bacon many times over. They can be had on ebay for $300 or so.

#PCB Assembly

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

Recent Posts

What Is a PCB Netlist? Everything You Need to Know Is Here

In the world of printed circuit board design and manufacturing, precision and accuracy are paramount.…

2 weeks ago

What Is Solder Wetting and How to Prevent Poor Wetting?

Soldering is a cornerstone technique in electronics assembly, it's used to connect electrical pieces and…

1 month ago

7 Critical Techniques to Improve PCB Thermal Management

Nowadays, electronic products are both compact and lightweight while performing a variety of functions. This…

1 month ago

What Is BGA on a PCB? A Complete Guide to Ball Grid Array Technology

As technology continues to advance in the electronics industry, packaging remains one of the key…

2 months ago

How to Create a PCB Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Bringing your electronic ideas to life begins with PCB drawing, which is the process of…

3 months ago

8 Leading PCB Design Software: A Comprehensive Comparison

Printed Circuit Board design is one of the most significant processes in electronics production. Deciding…

4 months ago