[Elecraft] Cutting component leads

[Mike S]

At 09:30 AM 10/23/2006, Ken Kopp wrote...

>The following is from a NASA-certified solderer ... me. (:-))
>
>Contrary to the belief/practice of many, component leads protruding through a solder pad should NEVER be cut off flush with the board.  They should be cut off at a length that is several diameters of the wire ... at least ... above the board.

Time for a refresher class. According to the current standard, NASA-STD-8739.3 w/Change 2, December 1997, Section 8.5(.3) ( http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/codeq/sldrbch2.pdf ):

"Straight-Through Lead Terminations. Part leads terminated straight through the PWB shall extend a minimum of 0.5mm (0.020 inch) and a maximum of 2.29mm (0.090 inch)"

.020" is one lead diameter for a 1/8W resistor, and can be less than one diameter for larger parts.