Swapping TO-92, TO-220, etc

[DreadPirate]

ICs are easy to swap out of boards because of sockets. Is there a similar way to set up a board to simplify swapping outer form factors such as TO-92 or TO-220. The boards I'm working on won't take but one or two solders before the pad evaporates.

 

[Steve Dunlap]

If the holes are large enough to accept the TO220 pins, then yes, IF the pin out matches. With most Japanese TO92 transistors, the pin out is the opposite of the TO220. Just put the replacement in facing the opposite way. Not all Japanese TO92 transistors have the same pin out. If you use American or European TO92s the pin out is very likely different.

 

[DreadPirate]

I wasn't really clear in my question. What I'm looking to do is swap out different devices (of the same form factor) into the same position, kind of like testing different opamps on a cd player using a socket. There may be no real good way to do this.

 

[Steve Dunlap]

That makes sense. Try here.

sockets

 

[DreadPirate]

Great. That looks to be what I want. Thanks.