Instruction Manual

Hairline Cracks
The hairline cracks can develop in the copper foil if
the PC board is flexed. This can be easily repaired
by making a solder bridge across the two foils. The
solder should smoothly flow across the foil as shown
in Figure 9. If the solder does not adhere to the foil,
it will sit on the foil as a blob as shown if Figure 10.
1.
Make five solder bridges using the second row of
single pads, starting from the left side (see Figure 11).
Reinforcing a Repair
A solder bridge repair can be reinforced using a solid
wire. Now add a wire to the five solder bridges you
just made.
1. Strip a 1/2” of insulation off one end of the wire
and then tin it.
2. Hold the tinned wire on top of the solder bridge.
3. Place the iron on the wire until the solder melts.
4. Remove the iron while holding the wire in place
against the foil. Make sure the wire does not
move until the solder hardens.
5. Check for a good solder connection.
6. Cut the wire off as close to the solder joint as
possible.
7. Practice this procedure four more times.
Wide Gaps
Wide gaps in the copper foil can be bridged using a
small wire soldered across the gaps (see Figure 12).
Four wires will be soldered across the two rows of
small solder pads.
1. Place the iron on the top of a pad and then apply
the solder (see Figure 12). Allow the solder to
flow around and form a small pool.
2. Repeat Step 1 on the adjacent pad.
3. Strip 1/2” of insulation off one end of the wire and
then tin it.
4. Position the wire on top of the solder pad and then
place the iron on the wire. As the solder melts,
the wire will be pressed down against the pad
(see Figure 12). Remove the iron while holding
the wire in place. Make sure the wire does not
move until the solder hardens.
5. Check for a good solder connection.
6. Repeat step 4 on the adjacent pad.
7. Cut the wire off as close to the solder joint as
possible (see Figure 12).
8. You can hold the wire down with a screwdriver
and resolder if needed.
9. Practice this procedure three more times on the
remaining pads.
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Figure 9 Figure 10
Solder
Foil
Figure 12
Solder
Foil
Bare Wire
Board
Figure 11
PC BOARD REPAIR
Solder Bridges