Editing Soldering iron (section)

== Types ==
[[Image:Soldering-PCB-b.jpg|thumb|Soldering iron in use]]

=== Simple iron ===
For electrical and electronics work, a low-power iron, a power rating between 15 and 35&nbsp;[[watt]]s, is used. Higher ratings are available, but do not run at higher temperature; instead there is more heat available for making soldered connections to things with large [[thermal capacity]], for example, a metal chassis.<ref name="winstanley"/> Some irons are temperature-controlled, running at a fixed temperature in the same way as a soldering station, with higher power available for joints with large heat capacity. Simple irons run at an uncontrolled temperature determined by [[thermal equilibrium]]; when heating something large their temperature drops.

A variation is the [[Scope soldering iron]], common in Australia, which operates from a low-voltage source such as transformer or battery, and heats in seconds when the user pushes the thumb-guard, which then acts as a heat controller.

=== Cordless iron ===
Small irons heated by a battery, or by combustion of a gas such as [[butane]] in a small self-contained tank, can be used when electricity is unavailable or cordless operation is required. The [[operating temperature]] of these irons is not regulated directly; gas irons may change power by adjusting gas flow. Gas-powered irons may have interchangeable tips including different size soldering tips, hot knife for cutting plastics, miniature [[blow-torch]] with a hot flame, and small [[Heat gun|hot air blower]] for such applications as shrinking [[heat shrink]] tubing.

=== Temperature-controlled soldering iron ===
[[File:Ersadur.svg|thumb|Section of a soldering iron tip with an internal heating element]]
Simple soldering irons reach a temperature determined by thermal equilibrium, dependent upon power input and [[cooling]] by the environment and the materials it comes into contact with. The iron temperature will drop when in contact with a large mass of metal such as a chassis; a small iron will lose too much temperature to solder a large connection.  More advanced irons for use in electronics have a mechanism with a temperature sensor and method of temperature control to keep the tip temperature steady; more power is available if a connection is large. Temperature-controlled irons may be free-standing, or may comprise a head with heating element and tip, controlled by a base called a soldering station, with control circuitry and temperature adjustment and sometimes display.

A variety of means are used to control temperature. The simplest of these is a variable power control, much like a [[light dimmer]], which changes the equilibrium temperature of the iron without automatically measuring or regulating the temperature. Another type of system uses a [[thermostat]], often inside the iron's tip, which automatically switches power on and off to the element. A thermal sensor such as a [[thermocouple]]  may be used in conjunction with [[Electronic circuit|circuitry]] to monitor the temperature of the tip and adjust power delivered to the heating element to maintain a desired temperature.<ref name="winstanley"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electromaker.io/blog/article/what-is-the-ts100-soldering-iron|title=What is the TS100 Soldering Iron?}}</ref> In some models, the firmware for the control circuitry is [[free software]] that can be modified by the end-user.<ref name="hackaday.com">{{cite web|url=https://hackaday.com/2017/07/24/review-ts100-soldering-iron/|title=Review: TS100 Soldering Iron|date=24 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hackaday.com/2017/07/07/tetris-on-a-soldering-iron/|title=Tetris on a Soldering Iron|date=7 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/play-the-tiniest-version-of-tetris-on-a-soldering-iron/|title=Play the Tiniest Version of 'Tetris' on a Soldering Iron|date=7 July 2017}}</ref>

Another approach is to use magnetized soldering tips which lose their magnetic properties at a specific temperature, the [[Curie point]]. As long as the tip is magnetic, it closes a switch to supply power to the heating element. When it exceeds the design temperature it opens the contacts, cooling until the temperature drops enough to restore magnetisation. More complex Curie-point irons circulate a high-frequency AC current through the tip, using magnetic physics to direct heating only where the surface of the tip drops below the Curie point.<ref name="curiepointsolderingiron">{{cite web|url=http://www.thermaltronics.com/tmt-9000s.php|title=Thermaltronics Soldering: Products > TMT-9000S Soldering and Rework Station|website=Thermaltronics.com|access-date=27 August 2018}}</ref>

=== Soldering station ===
[[File:Soldering Station Weller 2.jpeg|thumb|left|Temperature-controlled soldering station]]
A soldering station has a [[temperature]] control and consists of an electrical power supply, control circuitry with provision for user adjustment of temperature and display,  and a soldering iron or soldering head with a tip temperature sensor. The station will normally have a stand for the hot iron when not in use, and a wet sponge for cleaning. It is most commonly used for soldering electronic components. Other functions may be combined; for example a [[rework station]], mainly for [[Surface-mount device|surface-mount components]] may have a [[hot air gun]], vacuum pickup tool, and a soldering head; a desoldering station will have a desoldering head with vacuum pump for desoldering [[through-hole]] components, and a soldering iron head.

=== Soldering tweezers ===
[[Image:Soldering a 0805.jpg|thumb|Soldering tweezers in use]]
[[Image:Soldering iron in holder.jpg|thumb|Soldering iron stand]]

For soldering and desoldering small surface-mount components with two terminals, such as some links, resistors, capacitors, and diodes, soldering tweezers can be used; they can be either free-standing or controlled from a soldering station. The tweezers have two heated tips mounted on arms whose separation can be manually varied by squeezing gently against spring force, like simple [[tweezers]]; the tips are applied to the two ends of the component. The main purpose of the soldering tweezers is to melt solder in the correct place; components are usually moved by simple tweezers or vacuum pickup.

=== Hot knife ===
A hot knife is a form of soldering iron equipped with a double-edged blade that is situated on a heating element. These tools can reach temperatures of up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) allowing for cuts of fabric and foam materials without worry of fraying or beading. Hot knives can be utilized in automotive, marine, and carpeting applications, as well as other industrial and personal uses.<ref>{{Cite web|title = What is a Hot Knife? - MM Newman Corporate|url = https://www.mmnewman.com/blog/what-is-a-hot-knife/|website = MM Newman Corporation| date=19 August 2013 |access-date = 2016-01-14|language = en-US}}</ref>