What’s a DIP socket?

Print anything with Printful



DIP sockets are used to mount DIP components on PCBs, allowing for easy replacement without soldering. DIP components are common on electronic circuits and have closely spaced pins that can be difficult to desolder. DIP sockets consist of a plastic block with pins on the underside and mini-sockets on the top. They come in various sizes and grip strips can be cut to fit specific applications.

A DIP socket is an electronic accessory used to mount Dual In-line Package (DIP) components on printed circuit boards (PCBs). These sockets are square or rectangular in shape and have two rows of pins on the underside of the socket connected to corresponding push-fit mounts on the top side. The pins are placed through the holes in the PCB and soldered onto the traces etched into the surface of the board. The component is then pushed into the socket mounting points, ensuring a good electrical connection between it and the circuit board. DIP sockets are generally used to facilitate simple, non-destructive replacement of DIP components and are available in single units or in strips, which can be cut to size as required.

Inline dual-pack components are among the most common components on electronic circuits, ranging from small four-pin square proms to large 40-pin multiprocessors. These components are not only integrated circuits (ICs), but also include other types such as resistor packs and light emitting diode (LED) numeric displays. The term “double inline package” refers to the dual row of evenly spaced pins on these components. Due to the generally compact size of electronic components, these pins are usually quite close together which presents problems when they fail and need to be unsoldered from the PCB for replacement. This is where the DIP socket comes in, offering an easy and non-aggressive replacement method for DIP components.

The closely spaced pins on DIP packages are difficult to desolder by hand, requiring careful use of a solder spoolie or solder wick. The concentration of heat in a small area can also cause delamination and lifting of individual traces on the panel, requiring further careful repairs. DIP sockets consist of a block of plastic that has a set of pins on its underside, which connect to corresponding mini-sockets on its top surface. They are welded into place once and after that the actual component is simply pushed into the socket or carefully lifted with no soldering required. A DIP component can also be removed from a socket using a specially designed tool known as an EPROM or IC extractor, which precludes possible damage to the components during removal.

The DIP socket is available in a large selection of specific component sizes to fit most DIP components. Long DIP grip strips are also available, which can be cut to size depending on the specific application. These strips are also available in a range of widths and stud spacings to accommodate all component sizes.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content