pc board cleanup
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Newbie problem. I am transferring a breadboard circuit to a small Radio Shack
universal pc board.
Checking with an ohmeter at intervals as I add wiring, sockets, etc., I find
that I can measure high resistance
short circuits between, for example, the ground and +5 pads. When I swipe the
gap between the pads with a creased
piece of 600 grit sandpaper, the circuit opens and I read infinite resistance.
Some of the solder/flux debris must be forming a conductive path or bridge
between the copper pads.
There must be a better cleanup method or solvent. Carbon tet? Lacquer thinner?
Soap and water? What? What works
without attacking the plastic board?
BTW, I would rather not open any really noxious solvents. I am doing this in a
small apt.
Many thanks for your insights.
Best, Michael
universal pc board.
Checking with an ohmeter at intervals as I add wiring, sockets, etc., I find
that I can measure high resistance
short circuits between, for example, the ground and +5 pads. When I swipe the
gap between the pads with a creased
piece of 600 grit sandpaper, the circuit opens and I read infinite resistance.
Some of the solder/flux debris must be forming a conductive path or bridge
between the copper pads.
There must be a better cleanup method or solvent. Carbon tet? Lacquer thinner?
Soap and water? What? What works
without attacking the plastic board?
BTW, I would rather not open any really noxious solvents. I am doing this in a
small apt.
Many thanks for your insights.
Best, Michael
Comments
>Newbie problem. I am transferring a breadboard circuit to a small Radio
>Shack universal pc board.
>
>Checking with an ohmeter at intervals as I add wiring, sockets, etc., I
>find that I can measure high resistance
>short circuits between, for example, the ground and +5 pads. When I swipe
>the gap between the pads with a creased
>piece of 600 grit sandpaper, the circuit opens and I read infinite resistance.
>
>Some of the solder/flux debris must be forming a conductive path or
>bridge between the copper pads.
>
>There must be a better cleanup method or solvent. Carbon tet? Lacquer
>thinner? Soap and water? What? What works
>without attacking the plastic board?
>
>BTW, I would rather not open any really noxious solvents. I am doing this
>in a small apt.
Isopropyl alcohol if you can get it at your local paint store, otherwise
rubbing alcohol. The latter is 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, but it
will remove rosin based flux from soldered connections and boards, but the
straight stuff works better.
you can brush it away. Just remember some parts (switches, pots, etc...) are
not designed to be wet.
Original Message
> Checking with an ohmeter at intervals as I add wiring, sockets, etc., I
find that I can measure high resistance
> short circuits between, for example, the ground and +5 pads. When I swipe
the gap between the pads with a creased
> piece of 600 grit sandpaper, the circuit opens and I read infinite
resistance.
>
> Some of the solder/flux debris must be forming a conductive path or
bridge between the copper pads.
>
> There must be a better cleanup method or solvent. Carbon tet? Lacquer
thinner? Soap and water? What? What works
> without attacking the plastic board?
> rubbing alcohol. The latter is 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water, but
it
> will remove rosin based flux from soldered connections and boards, but the
> straight stuff works better.
Most of the larger drug stores have the straight isopropyl next to the
rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol contains a lubricant that leaves a film.
Ray McArthur