Electronics > Beginners
Mini TS100 soldering iron and current leakage
bodger:
I recently brought myself a Mini TS100 soldering iron (Sainsmart branded) came with a switch mode power supply like those found on laptops. I noticed that while the iron was cold but still powered that if I ran my finger against the tip I'd feel a slight 'tingle'. So I measured the AC voltage at the tip against ground and found it to be around 115V, I'm guessing this is not uncommon for an iron that isn't grounded?
I'm about to put together a class AB audio amp (just for kicks), but wanted to know if this leakage (is that the correct term?) could potentially damage components such as the amp ic, capacitors, resistors, etc. I'd also be interested to know what causes a SMPS to pass this 'leak' through, the technically term would be nice to know so I could research it.
This is my first post, so apologies if I haven't followed correct forum etiquette. Thanks in advance.
stj:
welcome to the world of switching psu's with a capacitor coupling the secondary to the input earth - that often does not exist but is then capacitivly coupled to the input terminals!!
this bullshit extends to devices like settop-boxes & tv's btw.
voltsandjolts:
Don't put up with that BS. Return the iron to the seller and tell them it is a POS.
Then buy a better iron with earthed tip. A lot of folks here recommned hakko's (see EEVBlog video).
stj:
--- Quote from: voltsandjolts on June 25, 2017, 01:00:39 pm ---Don't put up with that BS. Return the iron to the seller and tell them it is a POS.
Then buy a better iron with earthed tip. A lot of folks here recommned hakko's (see EEVBlog video).
--- End quote ---
you obviously know nothing about the product - it's a battery powered iron.
the issue is with the psu - and the "problem" is incredibly common.
it would be better to use a linear psu with a nice toroidal transformer, a rectifier and a cap.
bodger:
Thanks for the replies. I'll probably just ground the iron via a 1Mohm resistor or construct a 4S lipo battery (just a pain they used a 5.5mm x 2.5mm connector, have a few 2.1mm laying about). Hakkos are overpriced by around 33% when compared to US prices here in England, I needed something portable and for £50 the Mini TS100 is excellent value and performs as good as the Wellers I used at college and I find it easier to work with the pencil style irons.
I've noticed the "problem" with metal constructed laptops in the past too, just surprised none of the Mini TS100 reviews I looked into mentioned the possible effect of using a SMPS.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version