A PLCC socket can connect a CPU or other computer chips, with pins, leads, and through holes for different chips. PLCC sockets generate less heat and allow for easy chip replacement.
Most sockets on a motherboard are made to connect the central processing unit (CPU) to the computer, but a plastic leaded chip carrier (PLCC) socket can work with a CPU or a number of other computer chips. A PLCC socket is commonly used when heat may be an issue and by users who regularly replace chips. There are several types of connections on a PLCC socket – pins, leads, and through holes – allowing you to fit many different chips into the socket. All PLCC sockets are four-sided, square or rectangular, and have a pin spacing of 0.05 inch (1.27 mm).
While there are many types of PLCC socket units made to accommodate different chips, they all follow certain design characteristics. The shape of each PLCC connector is either square or rectangular, because all chips that would plug into this connector have one of these two shapes. The distance between the leads and the pins is always 0.05 inch (1.27 mm), not only as a standardized design, but also because the chips have the same spacing dimension.
The three types of connector units on a PLCC socket are pins, leads and through holes. Pins and leads are standard on all PLCC connectors, but only some have through holes. The pins are on the bottom, while the leads are the prongs along the walls of the connector and are used for most chips. Through holes are holes in the bottom of the socket that allow for wiring, and also have a stronger bond than just pins that connect to the motherboard.
One of the main reasons for using a PLCC socket instead of a regular soldered socket is that the PLCC variety generates less heat for the motherboard. This allows complex chips to be added to the motherboard without the computer designer having to worry about additional heat. The copper that most PLCC connectors are made of helps transfer heat away from the motherboard.
Another reason for a PLCC socket is that it allows users to swap chips in and out of the socket. This application is used by people who hack computers, in the sense of adding extra functions instead of using malicious code, because new chips can be added that were not created for the computer. Removing a chip from the PLCC connector can be difficult, so a PLCC extraction tool is normally used to remove the chip.
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