Charles Laforge wrote:
>
> Hi there
>
> For my application I will be using standard (as opposed to ZIF) sockets
> to hold the PICs.  Can anyone recommend some that are better than others
> for numerous inserting/removing of chips.  I will be using an adapter
> for development work which will be made using a ZIF socket but I cannot
> afford a ZIF for every board nor do I have enough board space for one.
> I'm not too sure if I'm being very clear.... let me try again.  I need
> good quality IC sockets which will not damage my PICs after numerous
> insertion and removal cycles?  Hows that... better?
>

Here's what I do.  I put the pic in a standard (cheap) socket.  Then
I plug the socket into the socket that is on the PC board.  I can
also plug the socket into the ZIF socket on my programmer.  This works
great.  It plugs and unplugs more easily than the chip.  And if the
wear and tear on the pins gets too great, you simply throw the
socket (not the chip) away.  If you use this approach you can use
any old cheap socket.  I bought mine from BG micro.  I think I got
something like a dozen of them for a buck.

John Hansen