Patent ID: 6912780

Claim:
A method to repair or replace an electrical interface on a printed circuit board having a predetermined thickness, said interface comprising having a plurality of contact pads on a first surface of said printed circuit board, and at least one of said contact pads being connected to conducting material extending through said circuit board, and wherein at least one of said contact pads is connected to at least one electronic component mounted in or on said printed circuit board by a conductor, said method comprising the steps of: for a preselected one of said contact pads to be replaced at a predetermined location, drilling a hole through said printed circuit board at said predetermined location, having a diameter sufficient to electrically isolate said preselected contact pad from all circuits contained on the said printed circuit board; removing any remaining conductor material attached to said preselected contact pad, that remains attached to the first surface after the drilling of the hole; providing a replacement conductor/contact pad structure having a generally T-configuration which includes a stem having a length greater than the thickness of the circuit board and a head, wherein said head has a diameter greater than the diameter of the drilled hole drilled in said contact pad, and wherein said head completely encircles and surrounds said stem and wherein said head has a revealed surface selected from the group of gold, nickel, palladium, and nickel/palladium alloy and a contacting surface; inserting said replacement conductor/contact pad into said hole with said stem extending beyond the second surface of said board with said contacting surface of said head being in contact with the first surface of said board.