Homebrew PCBs

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Phil" <phil1960us@...>
To: <Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 24, 2004 7:14 AM
Subject: [Homebrew_PCBs] PCB Thermals


> As I understand it, thermals are meant to make soldering/desoldering
> easier by decreasing the flow of heat away from the joint.  Is this
> the only reason for thermals?

That's basically what they are used for, usually on large copper areas like
poured copper and power/ground planes. There isn't much point in using them
on home-made PCBs. I keep forgetting to turn them off on my PCBs and they
make the board look untidy when hand soldering, as there is no solder mask.

Leon