Is it better to heat the soldering iron internally or externally?
First off, it depends on your application; internal heat works well for welding small pieces, such electronic components, whereas exterior heat is simpler to employ on larger parts.
Second, the structure is different: the internal heating type's heating element is located inside the copper head and has a relatively high thermal efficiency; the external heating type's heating wire is located outside the copper head, and the soldering iron's power is correlated with the area of the metal that needs to be welded.
Third, in terms of power: Internal heating is typically present in low-power electric soldering irons, making them ideal for welding small components. For instance, 30W or less is required to weld integrated circuits and semiconductor devices. For welding larger parts, high-power soldering irons are typically heated externally. The power of the soldering iron used increases with the size of the metal area.
The external heating type heats slowly, has a tiny head, a long lifespan, and can be utilized for higher capacities. The internal heating type heats up quickly, has a large head, a short lifespan, and typically a small capacity.
