wrote in message
oups.com...
I have an old project where a relay is oddly stuck in a state with the
common rail connected to the normally open contact. I can only assume
that the two connections fused together during a high-current
transient. The relay breaks a connection between an audio amplifier
circuit and a subwoofer. I think my only choice is to replace the
relay. There is however a problem where the pins of the relay are
soldered to plated through-holes. This is making the relay nearly
impossible to remove without risking damaging the pcb. Does anyone
have any neat tricks to remove such a component safely?
Thanks


Make up a pyramidal truncated frustrum (Google) out of 4 pieces of tin-
plate, wired together. Mask off that area around the relay, with the
frustrum temporarily wired to the board. Mount board firmly in vice, near
the relay. Pull and wriggle the relay when you apply heat from a hot-air gun
directed into the frustrum.
If you don't believe it will work try the technique with plated thru comps
on a scrap board first. The hotter the air and quicker you are the better,
if board starts to discolour there is probably some other mechanical
restraint.


--
Diverse Devices, Southampton, England
electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on
http://home.graffiti.net/diverse:graffiti.net/