IC BASES

IC Bases, also commonly known as IC Sockets, are electromechanical devices used to connect Integrated Circuits (ICs) to a printed circuit board (PCB) without permanent soldering. They provide a “plug-and-play” interface, allowing the chip to be easily inserted, removed, or replaced. This is essential for protecting expensive or sensitive chips from the heat of a soldering iron and for simplifying future repairs or upgrades.

Specifications

IC bases are selected based on their contact reliability and mechanical design:

• Contact Types:
  • Flat/Dual-Leaf Pins: Economical and common; uses flat spring metal to grip the IC legs.
  • Machined/Round Pins: High-reliability pins with gold-plated internal clips for superior electrical contact and vibration resistance.
• Pitch (Spacing): Standard 2.54mm (0.1″) for most through-hole projects; specialized pitches for high-density SMD testing.
• Material: Typically made from PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) or high-temp Nylon, with tin or gold-plated copper alloy contacts.
• Current Rating: Usually rated for 1A to 3A per contact.
• Temperature Range: Industrial-grade bases can operate from -55°C to +125°C.
• Insertion Force: Available in standard or Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) styles, the latter using a lever to lock the chip in place without friction.

 Available Sizes

IC bases are sized by their pin count and the width between the rows of pins: