As you know ICs or Integrated circuits are available in various sizes and packages. Some examples are PDIP or DIP(Plastic Dual in line Package), SOIC(Small outline IC), TQFP(Thin Quad Flat Package), BGA(Ball Grid Array), etc. Basically any package other than DIP is called as SMD(Surface Mount Device).

The PDIP/DIP package is the most common one and can be easily soldered. Many of the widely used ICs for hobby projects are manufactured in DIP. But when it comes to industrial applications, IC's size and power consumption matters. So usually industrial variants of the same ICs are manufactured in smaller packages. If you want to use them in your projects it is very difficult to solder them.

So here's a small instructable on how to do SMD soldering.

I always wanted to try SMD soldering. When I was new to electronics I used to think only professionals with hot air guns or computerized machines can be used to solder SMD chips. I was not able to make many projects due to this limitation.

During my summer vacations I was getting bored. I had a couple of SMD chips lying around. I started with soldering them. I was successful in soldering them.

Did you also face problems while making electronic projects due to SMD chips?

Don't worry, I'm here to teach you how to SMD Soldering. Its really easy. Here I'm going to solder a SOIC.

Step 1: Things You'll Need

1)25W soldering iron (25 W is ideal, the heat may damage the SMD IC.)

2)Needle type bit for Soldering Iron

3)SMD IC

4)Double sided tape (To hold the SMD IC in place)

5)Thin Multi-strand wire

6)Scissors or wire cutter

Step 2: Preparing the Things on Your Workbench

Start with the thin multi strand wire.(See the pic)
Take a long piece of the wire(approx. 10 cm.).Strip the outer insulating material of about 1.5 cm of wire.
So now the inside metal wire is visible. Twist the strands together.(See the pictures for clear understanding)

Heat the soldering iron. Apply the tip of soldering iron to the bare twisted wire and solder it.The solder will flow on the twisted wire making it solid.

Now take the SMD IC. Place it on a flat surface and stick a double sided tape so that IC is fixed and doesn't move while soldering.(See the pic)

Step 3: Start Soldering

Now that the IC is fixed on the table. Take the wire you prepared. Now keep the soldered end of the wire on one of the pin of the SMD IC and touch it gently with the hot soldering iron.

The solder present on the wire is enough to solder the wire to the pin of the SMD IC. If you feel that solder is less or it is not getting soldered properly you can apply a small amount of solder.

Now cut the remaining part of wire which is insulated. You will get one pin of IC soldered with the wire.

Now repeat the step of stripping 1.5 cm of wire,twisting and soldering.

In this way you can solder your self made wire pins to the SMD IC. And the IC is ready to be used in your project.

See the pic of the final soldered IC.

Step 4: Precautions While Soldering SMD ICs

1.Use a smaller power rating soldering iron. I'm using a 25 watts iron.

2.Don't apply heat to the SMD IC for more than 2-3 seconds. If you are not able to solder the pin within that time, try again after waiting for some time. Let the IC become cool.

3.Take care while soldering don't short the pins. Once all the pins are soldered check for any short circuit using a continuity tester or a Digital Multimeter (DMM).

4.Use of a magnifying glass is highly recommended.

5.Take special care while handling SMD chips. They are sensitive to electrostatic discharge. Take care that no CRT monitor is placed nearby.