Extension of inductor pad to allow hand soldering is ok?

[treez]

Hello,

I wish to use this inductor on our PCB, but the pad is "underneeath" it, and we won't be able to hand solder the prototypes...........do you think it will be ok if i extend the pads so that they appear outside of the inductor body so that i can hand solder them.

We dont have infra-red soldering equipment here.

Inductor = XAL5050 10uH.


INDUCTOR DATASHEET:
**broken link removed**

 

[keith1200rs]

Yes, it is quite common to extend the pads of devices for hand soldering. The solder will then be able to flow under the device and reach the pads.

Keith

 

[treez]

Thanks Keith,

Its just that id heard all sorts of nightmares about how with the bigger pads, the inductor wil slide about on the solder paste prior to surface mount soldering?

 

[keith1200rs]

I usually use normal solder and lightly solder one side first, making sure the position is correct. If not, reheat and move it. When you have the position correct finish the soldering job on both ends.

However, if you are intending to then get the PCBs reflow soldered at a later stage you may need to change the pads. You could possible use glue.

An alternative I haven't tried would be to only extend a narrow portion of the pad beyond the component. That would give somewhere for the solder to flow when hand soldering without giving somewhere for the whole component to move to.

Keith

- - - Updated - - -

Just to add - it is worthwhile getting hold of a sample of the component. The curve of the pad usually pushes the body off the PCB a bit so there is room to get a small soldering iron tip in there anyway. I have used quite a few different Coilcraft inductors and never had to extend the pads to hand solder them.