Printed Circuit Boards, or PCBs, are an integral part of modern electronics devices. A typical PCB contains a large number of passive and active electronic components. Repairing a PCB generally means replacing one or more of these components. Passive components, such as resistors and capacitors are easier to replace on a PCB. On the other hand, electronic chips, especially the ones with small form factors, require more experience and sometimes specialized tools. Most of the repair work, however, can be performed using commonly available tools.
Instructions
1 Desolder the component you want to replace using soldering iron or heat gun. Heat gun is easier to use by can displace nearby components too and is therefore not recommended for single component desoldering. Soldering iron and copper braid can be used to take out single components in a more controlled fashion. To do that, first turn the soldering iron on and set it at a temperature of 450 degrees Celsius. Take the copper braid and place its tip on the component pin you want to desolder. While keeping the braid there, gently press it with the tip of the soldering iron. Keep the tip there until all the solder has melted and has been absorbed by the copper braid. Repeat this process for all pins of the component. Then, gently lift the pin off of the board using tweezers.
2 Clean up the pads from where you have removed the component using alcohol swabs. If there is excess solder remaining on the pads, it is best to clean those using soldering iron and the copper braid.
3 Solder the new component on the PCB pads from where you have taken the faulty component out. To do that, first place the tip of the solder on any one of the pads and touch it with the tip of the soldering iron. The solder will melt and fill the pad. Now place the component using tweezers on the corresponding pads and, while holding it with tweezers, touch the pad with the solder on with the tip of the soldering iron. The solder will melt and the component pin will sink into the solder to touch the pad. Next, briefly touch the interface of the next pin to be soldered and the corresponding pad with the solder and the soldering iron tip. The solder will melt immediately and create bond between the pin and the solder. Repeat this process for all component pins.
