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Ask an Expert Forum Best way to disconnect a SOIC-8 pin?
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Best way to disconnect a SOIC-8 pin?

Andrew J
Andrew J over 3 years ago

I've accidentally connected a pin to GND and it should have been left unconnected.  It's pin 5 of an 8-pin SOIC so reasonably accessible but what would be the best way to actually disconnect it without stressing other pins?  Note that the track that connects it to GND is very short and actually under the IC so isn't accessible.  I don't really want to de-solder the chip so all I can think of is to try and wick up the solder from that pad and then gently bend the pin up.  I've found that trying to wick it up is quite difficult because there's always some that remains under the pin.

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  • scottiebabe
    scottiebabe over 3 years ago +6
    Go big! lol
  • baldengineer
    baldengineer over 3 years ago +4 verified
    I would heat up the pin, lift it, and then wick any solder left making a connection. In fact, you may find adding some solder first helps to make lifting it easier.
  • michaelkellett
    michaelkellett over 3 years ago +3
    I would cut the pin, I do have a nice pair of rather expensive micro cutters for this purpose. Works well on SOIC, less good on 0.5mm pitch pins. You can (with care) use a scalpel with a nice new blade…
  • baldengineer
    +1 baldengineer over 3 years ago

    I would heat up the pin, lift it, and then wick any solder left making a connection.

    In fact, you may find adding some solder first helps to make lifting it easier.

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  • Andrew J
    0 Andrew J over 3 years ago in reply to baldengineer

    Use my soldering iron on the pin/pad and some fine tweezers to lift?  That sounds eminently do-able.  Thanks James. 

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  • shabaz
    0 shabaz over 3 years ago

    Hi Andrew,

    Usually the way I do that is to apply the iron onto the top of the leg of the SOIC chip (the part of the leg that is against the board), and when it's clearly molten, lever up at the same time with flat-ended tweezers. A tiny bit of solder as baldengineer says is helpful to get a bit of heat into it. And then, if there is still a bridge of solder, then the desoldering wick will get rid of it. This works 100% of the time, no broken legs or ripped pads, provided it's properly melted : )

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  • shabaz
    0 shabaz over 3 years ago in reply to shabaz

    EDIT: actually, exactly as baldengineer mentions, sorry just read it!

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  • scottiebabe
    0 scottiebabe over 3 years ago

    Go big!

    image

    lol

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  • Andrew J
    0 Andrew J over 3 years ago

    Thanks both - I shall try this tomorrow.

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  • Andrew J
    0 Andrew J over 3 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

    Grinning  Yeh, I had thought of that but then everyone would know I screwed up!!

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  • baldengineer
    0 baldengineer over 3 years ago in reply to scottiebabe

    If done right, there's enough metal left on each side to bridge back together when you realize that it was Pin 1 and not Pin 5! Slight smile

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  • scottiebabe
    0 scottiebabe over 3 years ago in reply to baldengineer

    Excellent suggestion! I make a looking topside view versus bottom side view mistake all the time!

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  • scottiebabe
    0 scottiebabe over 3 years ago in reply to Andrew J

    It was obviously by design Slight smile

    image

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