SMD Component Reliability? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 03:32:01 am
content: I am trying to learn SMD soldering/repair. To get me started i bought a practice kit. Then I bought 1206 book with 5600 pieces from EGSCST. It was cheap, so good enough for practice, but the fact that front page has an image of 0805 component, does not inspire trust in reliability. So, that got me thinking: How to select reliable component vs crap suitable only for practice? When low quality component book shows up, is the failure that the component are not of as high tolerance to advertised or that they fail faster or non functional t o start with or all above?Are there any $30-$100 priced books with 1000s of components in them that are of high quality or are they all crap? I work in aviation, so we usually buy things that are sold in single units and cost more than a buck per unit, sometimes 30,000 per unit for like a data recorder, so i am completely unfamiliar with the market segment of $30-$100 priced books of 1000s of components...Thanks ahead

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 04:43:42 am
content: The issue here is that a reel with 1000 of a single resistor value costs pennies. But once you have 1000 or even 100 different values, cutting and packaging all that becomes the expensive part.Cheap kits are usually fine, but way more expensive than plain components because of that packaging cost. But you can go to lcsc.com and build your own kit for pretty cheap. For instance, I bought every E24 0603 resistor from 0 Ohm to 10 MOhm 1000 pcs each and it cost me ~$250.And reputable sources (Mouser/DigiKey) also sell component books. Those are usually outrageously expensive. But you get to keno the exact part numbers instead of just values. It is a tradeoff.

author: Simmed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 05:30:08 am
content: Quote from: pcm81 on August 24, 2025, 03:32:01 amdid you compare aviation specified/approved parts vs non aviation ?eg : aging test temp, aging tolerance, TC , withstand voltage, power ?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 06:12:53 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on August 24, 2025, 04:43:42 amIt's often cheaper to just order 100 of all the values and make Digikey package them, than buying a book from digikey.A book from Digikey might be NZD$60 and contain 20 each of 48 values.Just ordering 100 of one value might cost $1 from digikey, so NZD$48 for 100 of each instead of NZD$60 for 20 each.But then you have to either put them into a book yourself or store them in their digikey packets.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 02:02:55 pm
content: DigiKey books are really for companies that are not that price sensitive and having someone figure out all the values may be more expensive than just add one item to the next order.

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 03:17:34 pm
content: Quote from: Simmed on August 24, 2025, 05:30:08 amMy experience has been that aviation systems have to have testing for MTBF at specified air temp or vibration environment; however the components we usually buy that match or exceed OEM that broke in a certified unit. I would imagine that there are bigger margins of reliability for the component selected for use in devices that ultimately end-up being aviation grade; but i am unaware of aviation or mil spec for components themselves, like there are MS part numbers and specifications for say fasteners or hydraulic fittings or rivets etc.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 05:46:25 pm
content: I purchased these, and the quality is good. Most are Yageo parts I think.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2WZ9XD7?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1&th=1As I use up stock in these books, I replace them and have them available for repairs. Stuff that I use a lot, I stock in bulk.Of course, for any given project, I simply order the BOM and save it for later if I repeat the process.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 09:27:38 pm
content: Has anyone found a really good quality source for resistor and/or cap books that are at reasonable good price and also E48.I have one book for 0605 and a old jaycar box for 0805 but it would actually be nice to source some proper books if the cost is reasonable.The one Cyclotron listed above looks nice. But would be good to get a set in both 0805 and 0603

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 01:07:18 am
content: Don't know how reliable this stuff is, but I've binge watching rorthridge fix videos and apparently their store carries books too:https://northridgefix.com/product/capacitors-and-resistors-component-binders-up-to-8500pcs-per-book-1206-805-603-402-201/Seems competitively priced to Amazon, but i do not have personal experience.They also have new flux, which on video looks like magic, but i have not tried yet, so can't say from experience.

author: Cyclotron
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 03:52:18 am
content: Quote from: Psi on August 24, 2025, 09:27:38 pmI purchased 1206, 0805, and 0603 sizes in the link I posted. I've also purchased blank books like this and stock thinks I use in repairs regularly in those.I am experimenting with A4 size plastic holders in a binder to house ICs of various kinds for ease of finding.I really like the book style, flipping through when I'm looking for something. The one I have not figured out yet is electrolytic capacitors. I have those mostly in a tote and have to dig through them.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 11:20:35 pm
content: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/vishay-dale/LTW964TPW06030DB00/4766476https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/kemet/CER-ENG-KIT-28/5267819Quote from: pcm81 on August 25, 2025, 01:07:18 amIf you are repairing aviation parts then in general you should not be buying from amazon or northridge. You should be using qualified parts from a traceable supplier. Best if you buy the original specified part numbers (from digikey/mouser/etc).The NF.Flux has no MSDS so I would not be using it unless you can get that provided to you. For hobby use I'm sure its fine.Quote from: pcm81 on August 24, 2025, 03:32:01 amYes not the right tolerance, or lower wattage rating, wrong material type, etc.

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 12:21:12 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on August 25, 2025, 11:20:35 pmYeah, definitely not using this stuff for aviation repair. I only mentioned aviation repair to illustrate that i am unfamiliar with "amazon component book" market segment.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 01:11:46 pm
content: Quote from: Psi on August 24, 2025, 06:12:53 amAgreed. I typically buy the 1, 2.2. 4.7 values if I want to have a collection of parts in a certain housing size. The other values can come in later when needed. Books may seem nice but 95% of the parts remain unused and the parts you need run out too quick. IMHO the component books are a waste of money.And I highly recommend to buy components from brands like Murata, Yageo, Vishay, and Panasonic. The random crap is just that... Time wasted to hunt for a problem caused by a sub standard component is way more valuable.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2025, 08:39:59 pm
content: I use these books mostly when I need to determine an exact final value by trying multiple values which are close to each other - like when dialing in an output voltage of a DC-DC converter, or in RF stuff. Once the value is determined, I typically just order a full reel of such parts at lcsc since they are so cheap over there.

author: peter-h
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 08, 2025, 08:29:03 pm
content: Many years ago ROHM used to sell really nice ring binder 0805 kits, with little seal bags. I still have one 35 years later. Nowadays all the "books" are just bits of cut tape which are fiddly to get parts out of.Certified avionics is often a load of crap. TSO approval says nothing about reliability and there is a lot of real crap out there, including autopilots. Google KFC225 for some amusementBut you can't officially repair the stuff unless you are a 145 company and that box is in your approved scope.