Title: 5.3 Solder Wires to Pins Lab
Course: Electronics Assembly & Soldering (Sandbox) > Section: Module 5: Wire Projects

Introduction

Now that you have soldered wire, it's time to put your knowledge to the test.

Lab Instructions

For this project, you will solder four wires to four connector pins. It is a challenge to hold the connector pin while holding the wire motionless against the pin and soldering it. Use the method that you used when you spliced two wires together.

1) Strip the Wires

First, strip the wires. You should have learned how to do this in Automation Technician Basics. For a refresher, or if you haven't taken that course yet, read How to Strip a Wire.docx.

2) Tin the Wires

Whether your wires are stranded or not, they need to be tinned. It is important that the strands of the wire lay properly before they are tinned. Notice that, in the picture below, the top wire has separated strands and the bottom wire does not:

If the strands have separated, you can get them to lay properly again by twisting them. Once the strands lay properly, flux them and tin them:

This is a wire that has been properly tinned:

3) Solder the Wires to the Pins

When you have tinned all four of your wires, flux the connector pins. Note: you will be soldering the short silver-colored side and not the long gold-colored side:

Secure the connector pins in a vice/tweezer setup or a third hand. Now, tin them.

The pins below have a thin coat of solder on them, but a thicker coat is better for this project.

Now you are ready to solder the first wire to the first pin. Place the wire so it runs parallel with the pin and almost touches the plastic of the pin.

Put a small amount of fresh solder on your tip, and solder the wire to the pin:

Continue this process by soldering the second wire to the second pin, then the third wire to the third pin, and, finally, the fourth wire to the fourth pin.

4) Complete the Project

Done! This is what your final piece should look like:

If you were actually using these pins, you would cover the exposed wire with shrink wrap or electrical tape in order to protect your solder connections and lessen the possibility of shorts and shocks.

But since this is a lab, you're done.

Submission

Take a picture of the soldered pins and upload it.

You will be graded according to the rubric below.

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