IPC 7711/7721 - How to Rework, Modify and Repair Electronic Assemblies

Don’t waste money by scrapping faulty assemblies; with IPC 7711/7721 you can repair and rework them.

When a PCB loaded with expensive components does not work you may feel you need to scrap it or send it out for repair, but IPC 7711/7721 offers you a money-saving alternative: fix it yourself!

Manufacturers and assemblers who want to realise dramatic cost savings by reworking, repairing and modifying electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards can benefit from IPC 7711/7721 qualified staff.

This course covers PCB laminates as well as plated through-hole and surface mount assemblies.

Note: IPC-7711/7721B is the name of the training course, and this is synonymous with IPC 7711/7721 B, IPC 7711, IPC 7721, IPC 7711B, IPC 7721B, IPC 7711/21, IPC 7711/21B, IPC 7711/21 B.

Click on each heading below to reveal more details

Who should attend IPC 7711/7721 training

This standard is aimed at anyone responsible for the repair, rework or modification of assembled PCBs, such as:

• repair engineers
• rework operators
• production staff
• anyone responsible for the quality and reliability of products leaving the company

Experience in most repair/rework procedures along with soldering and component rework skills are required

IPC 7711/7721 for trainers or staff

There are two levels of IPC 7711/7721 training.

• To have your team able to work to the guidelines you need the Application Specialist (or CIS) level.
• To take responsibility for your own training at least one of your team must gain the Certified IPC Trainer (or CIT) level to train and certify other staff. Any company with a large number of staff who will benefit from IPC 7711/21 knowledge and certification may find it more beneficial to have a certified trainer to train and maintain its own employees. 

Electronics Yorkshire is the only IPC authorised centre in the UK with Master IPC Trainers delivering CIS and CIT certification across all five practical and classroom-based IPC programmes.

IPC 7711/7721 course overview

IPC 7711/7721 is the electronic industry’s standard for the guidelines on removing and replacing electronic components and repairing circuitry, whether for surface mount rework and repair or for conventional boards. It is designed to provide hands-on instruction and training on specific modules in the IPC rework, repair and modification guide.

IPC 7711 Rework of Electronic Assemblies is the industry’s standard for removing and replacing electronic components, and IPC 7721 Repair and Modification of printed boards and assemblies is the industry’s standard for repairing circuitry. The full course teaches the IPC recommended techniques, tools, equipment and materials required to perform removal, replacement, and repair operations on plated through hole and surface mount assemblies as well as land, conductor and laminate repair, and covers procedural requirements, tools, materials and methods for removing and replacing conformal coatings. The programme includes procedures for repairing and modifying boards and assemblies with support for lead free, BGAs and repairs.

At the end of the course, successful students will be able to perform wire splicing; through-hole, J-lead, gull-wing, fine pitch, and chip component rework and replacement using a variety of methods including vacuum extraction, component specific tip, tweezer tips and a hot air removal system; plus conformal coating removal, laminate repair, pad and trace repair, and place and route modification wires.

IPC 7711/7721 covers three classes of quality assurance:

Class 1	General electronic products - such as cameras, audio/video and domestic appliances. The lifetime of these products is limited, and a failure is not critical.
Class 2	Dedicated service electronic products - such as printers, copiers, computers and general production equipment. The lifetime of the products is longer than class 1, the amount of usage is higher, and an uninterrupted service is desirable.
Class 3	High reliability/critical products - such as military, aerospace and medical. Not only is the product lifetime extended but the products must function without interruption and downtime is not an acceptable option.

 

IPC 7711/7721 is a modular programme. Apart from mandatory modules your staff may only need the elements relevant to your company; however both IPC and Electronics Yorkshire strongly recommend that all modules are taken. Certified Trainers must complete every module.

	Application Specialist	Certified Trainer
Module 1 – Policy and Procedures/Common Procedures	Mandatory	Mandatory
Module 2 – Wire Splicing	Optional	Mandatory
Module 3 – Through-Hole Components	Optional	Mandatory
Module 4 – Chip & MELF Components	Optional	Mandatory
Module 5 – Gull Wing Components	Optional	Mandatory
Module 6 – J-Lead Components	Optional	Mandatory
Module 7 – PCB Circuit Repair	Optional	Mandatory
Module 8 – Laminate Repair	Optional	Mandatory
Module 9 – Conformal Coating	Optional	Mandatory

The IPC 7711/7721 Table of Contents can be accessed here.

 

Pass rates and notes:

Application Specialist	Certified Trainer
A minimum of 70% is required on each closed and open-book written test to achieve a pass	An average of 80% is required across all the closed and open-book written tests to achieve a pass
On completion of the course, the Application Specialist will receive a copy of the IPC 7711/7721 Guidebook	On successful completion of the course, the IPC 7711/21 Trainer will receive all IPC materials to carry out the Application Specialist training. These include: CD-ROM with teaching visuals Instructor Guide IPC-7711/7721B Written Examination
	Application Specialist training materials, manuals and course certificates can only be purchased by Certified IPC-A-610 Trainers

Each course provides a global IPC certification valid for two years. For students who have previously achieved either Application Specialist or Certified Trainer IPC-7711/7721 Certification within the last two years a relevant two-day Recertification course is available.

IPC 7711/7721 course duration

Application Specialist	Certified Trainer
All modules are covered in four days. Module 1 is compulsory, and takes one full day. Each individual module requires a different amount of classroom time, however opting out of modules may not reduce overall attendance time on the course.	This is a five day course

IPC 7711/7721 course location and booking

Courses are normally delivered in our advanced technology centre:

Electronics Yorkshire

Airedale House

Clayton Wood Rise

Leeds LS16 6RF

You can view our list of training course dates. Please call us on 0800 610 1601 to book the course of your choice.

We can also conduct training on your premises; call us to discuss this option.

IPC 7711/21 training costs

Application Specialist		Certified Trainer
Course fee per student (4 days): Recertification fee per student (2 days):	£900 £600	Course fee per student (5 days): Recertification fee per student (2 days):	£1,800 £900
On-site training at customer’s location: Course materials are provided during the training; copies of the guide book can be purchased separately from Electronics Yorkshire	£O/A/day (plus travel and hotel expenses*)	On-site training at customer’s location: Course materials are provided during the training; one copy of the trainer’s pack is included and more can be purchased separately from Electronics Yorkshire	£O/A/day (plus travel and hotel expenses*†)

* there may be supplementary charges if equipment or materials need to be supplied
† because specialist equipment is required it may not be possible to deliver all modules on site

Electronics Yorkshire Full Members undertaking training at our Leeds centre receive a 20% discount on training costs. Discounts can also be offered for multiple bookings.

Older standards

Please note that the latest revision is IPC-7711/7721 B. This supersedes the following training courses: IPC-7711/7721, IPC-7711/7721A, IPC-7711/7721 A