14 Dec
2006
14 Dec
'06
6:39 a.m.
Barry Watzman wrote:
Question: If one is repairing RoHS compliant
equipment, with respect
to functionality only is there a problem with using conventional
tin/lead solder? I'm not asking if it's legal or "environmentally
friendly", I'm asking if mixing the lead free solder and conventional
tin/lead solder will cause functional problems (for example, any kind
of problems similar to those which we used to see when someone
repaired electronic equipment using plumbing acid flux solder).
I don't know the legal implications for sure but the advice I've seen
is that you can continue to use tin-lead solder for repairs to existing
equipment, but not to manufacture new equipment. The implication is that
ROHS-solder does not work well on older components, so use tin-lead
solder
there as before. I'm in the UK and I'm about to purchase some tin-lead
solder: the fact that it is available suggests that it is (a) legal
and (b) required (or at least, very convenient).
I've not tried any of the "new solder" yet, so I have no advice to
offer there.
I also don't know what the legal situation is for hobbyists (can I
do a new proto build using components and solder on-hand, which are
all currently non-RoHS)?
Antonio