From Selection to Soldering: The Pros and Cons of Connector Types and Assembly

The connector types selected for printed circuit board (PCB) designs drive the soldering processes used during assembly. Through-hole components require a wave solder process and a reflow solder process is required for surface-mount connectors. Using both types of connectors in a single design typically means using both wave and reflow processes, adding to both time and equipment costs. Pin in Paste (PIP)—also known as Paste in Hole Reflow (PIHR)—solders both surface-mount and through-hole components in a single process, reducing costs and time.

Neil Moore discusses the connector types and soldering processes used in PCB assembly, as well as the pros and cons of the processes.