Soldering temperature: a table for real jobs
There is no universal temperature: it depends on the alloy, the mass of the part and how much copper sits under the pad.
The table
| Job | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Small SMD, leaded solder | 300–320 °C |
| Small SMD, lead-free | 330–350 °C |
| Connectors, large pads | 360–380 °C |
| Thick wire, shields | 380–400 °C |
| Desoldering with braid | 350–370 °C |
The rule
Start low and raise it only if the solder does not flow within two seconds. In board repair you almost never need to go above 400 °C.
When it will not heat
Often the problem is contact area, not degrees: a fine conical tip cannot heat a large ground pad. Switch to a chisel or hoof tip.
