Weller WTCP-51 solder station and TCP-S pencil not working

[Faringdon]

obviously the guy never actually looked into a relativly modern - aka 1990's + weller base unit.
the earth connects through a paralel resistor and capacitor.
the resistor limits continuous current while the cap provides bypass for short spikes.

thanks, thats interesting..ill check the value to see if its 1MEG.
Do you confirm that it is to staunch ESD discharge currents?

[floobydust]

Why aren't you fixing the soldering station? As you know, take a multimeter on Ohms/Continuity and check the heating element etc. instead of bitching about Weller soldering stations.
They are fine soldering stations but won't take unlimited idiocracy. Now it's a slide over to some ESD 1MEG rant?
You've busted two soldering stations?

[Gyro]

The RS and Farnell data say that the iron is "Hard grounded". Please just get your meter out! [Edit: It ought to take you about 30 seconds, ie, you should have done it by now!].

[Gyro]

Why aren't you fixing the soldering station? As you know, take a multimeter on Ohms/Continuity and check the heating element etc. instead of bitching about Weller soldering stations.
They are fine soldering stations but won't take unlimited idiocracy. Now it's a slide over to some ESD 1MEG rant?
You've busted two soldering stations?

He seems to be complaining that the VSSOP-8 packages that he soldered with it aren't working. It's not clear (and I suspect it never will be!) whether he has got it working, or this is some historical event.

[floobydust]

The Great VSSOP-8 disaster of 2024, killed two soldering stations. IC killed by ESD. SMPS dead.
There's a trend to blame everything else. Works great for politicians, but doesn't get you anywhere in electronics though.

[stj]

i blame capacitors - it usually proves to be the case

[floobydust]

Lately, it's easier to blame the government for that damn VSSOP8 that ended up being a huge blob of solder. It doesn't even have a thermal pad