
Figure 1. Soldering Tip Voltage Tester, Item No. 35110.
Testing and Installation
The Soldering Tip Voltage Tester consists of the circuit
board enclosed in a 2.4" (61mm) x 2.3" (58mm) x 1" (25mm)
high enclosure, 2 AAA batteries (included), an attached
sensor plate, a grounding wire with banana plug, and a pair
of Velcro pieces.
Attach the grounding wire banana plug to electrical ground,
such as a common ground point on the workbench or the
center grounding screw of an AC power outlet socket, etc.
Note: Keep in mind that with typical use the Soldering
Tip Voltage Tester will need to have the 2 AAA batteries
replaced every 1 to 2 years. This requires opening up
the enclosure by removing the 2 screws, separating
the enclosure halves, replacing the batteries, and then
reassembling the enclosure.
Operation
Whenever the soldering iron tip contacts the cleaner or
sponge (which is in contact with the sensor plate) one of the
following conditions will occur:
Soldering Tip Voltage Tester Operation Instructions
PASS Function Test
The MENDA Soldering Tip Voltage Tester’s OK function
may be tested by grounding the sensor plate causing the
green LED to light if there is less than 1.25 Volts AC.
Place the sensor plate under the soldering iron cleaning
sponge or metallic type cleaner pad.
If using a sponge, dampen the sponge as you normally
would. Place the sponge in the holder, being sure it makes
good contact with the sensor plate.
Note: For sponges, best results are with a clean plastic
sponge holder. If the sponge holder is metal, it must not
ground the sensor plate. For metallic cleaner pads, if
the container is conductive it must be isolated from any
grounded surface by rubber feet or other insulators. Find
inappropriate location for the Soldering Tip Voltage Tester
where the LED indicators are easily viewed and the sensor
plate wire can be conveniently routed (be sure to avoid
locations with excessive heat or solder splashes).
Attach the Velcro pieces to hold the Soldering Tip Voltage
Tester as desired.
FAIL Function Test
Use a Function Generator.
Make the following settings to the Function Generator:
Set for a SINE wave. (~)
Set Frequency to about 1 Hz.
Set Amplitude to 1 volt.
1. Short the spade contact with the plate. The green (lower)
LED should light.
2. Connect the Soldering Tip Voltage Tester to the Function
Generator’s Main connector with the spade lug to the
ground and the plate to the center conductor.
3. The red FAIL LED should light and an audible beep
should sound if there is over 1.25 Volts AC. The alarm
will sound at a rate of about once per second at a
frequency of 1 Hz; the beep will increase in speed along
with the frequency. At about 10 Hz, it will sound as a
constant beep.
Made in America
TB-4011 July 2011 Page 1 of 2
3651 Walnut Avenue, Chino, CA 91710
2011 DESCO INDUSTRIES INC.
Employee Owned
Green Soldering Iron Tip grounded
OK
light
Soldering Iron Tip not grounded
Repair or
replace Iron
Sensor plate not installed or is not
Correct the
properly contacting the cleaner
problem
(sponge)
No
Soldering Tip Voltage Tester
Correct the
lights
grounding wire not attached to a
problem
good ground.
Soldering Tip Voltage Tester
Correct the
batteries need replacement (verify
problem
by testing as described above)
Red
Soldering Iron Tip has greater
Caution - do
light
than 1 Volt AC
not use Iron on
ESD sensitive
hardware.
Repair or replace Iron.