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Is it desirable to use sockets for the ICs on the EZ-Tuner circuit boards?

April 26, 2017circuit desirable ez-tuner IC Sockets

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Is it desirable to use sockets for the ICs on the EZ-Tuner circuit boards?

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I’d recommend NOT using sockets, except for the BS2sx BASIC Stamp. Most professionals recommend sockets only for ICs that may need to be replaced. In the future, you may want to upgrade the BS2sx with a newer model that has more features, but there’s no reason ever to replace the other ICs. Generally speaking, sockets somewhat reduce the reliability of a circuit, in part because mechanical contacts are always weak links, and in part because sockets reduce the heat-sinking of the IC to the PC board copper. Heat-sinking is particularly important in the ULN2068B (or ULN2069B) 1.5A quad switches on the stepper driver boards.