PCB Assembly, Through Hole

Through-hole assembly is the mounting of electronic components to a PCB (printed circuit board) by inserting their leads through drilled holes, before soldering them onto contact pads located on the opposite side of the board. Compared to surface-mount assembly, through-hole assembly is a more durable mounting technique and is commonly used to mount larger electronic components, or components that are to be subjected to mechanical stress such as vibration.

Through-hole assembly is less automated than its surface-mount counterpart, which often makes it more expensive as it is more labour-intensive. The drilling of holes can sometimes prove to be quite a time-consuming process, which means that the lead times associated with through-hole assembly are generally longer.

However, owing to the fact that through-hole assembly facilitates a much stronger mount, the method used will be reliant on the end application and the size of the components being mounted.

• Through-hole assembly is the mounting of electronic components to a PCB by inserting their leads through drilled holes, before soldering them onto contact pads located on the opposite side of the board.
• Due to its durability, through-hole assembly is commonly used to mount larger electronic components, or components that are to be subjected to mechanical stress such as vibration.
• Generally speaking, through-hole assembly results in a higher cost per unit, as well as a longer lead time. However, the method used should be dictated by the end application and the size of components being mounted.