If you're looking for a simple way to upgrade your microprocessor, you can find a number of different dual in-line packages. These packages add memory to your system while taking up very little space on the PCB. While some packages are mounted to the circuit board, others are inserted into the circuit itself. Packages that are inserted into slots are called sockets. These packages are easy to install, and easy to remove.

When engineers and technicians install sockets they usually look for packages that provide the least amount of disturbance to the system. There are three different types of sockets, low insertion force and zero insertion force and standard sockets. As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, the zero insertion force sockets are the preferred choice for most electronic applications.

Zero Insertion Force Sockets

The typical zero insertion force socket features a lever for opening and closing the unit. When the unit is open you can place a chip inside without exerting any force. When the unit is closed the contacts grip the pins to create a reliable connection. This type of socket is ideal for creating prototypes and testing equipment. If your project requires you to insert and remove the chip from the CPU with a great deal of frequency, it's a good idea to go with a ZIF package.

One of the only drawbacks to ZIF sockets is that they take up more space on the PCB than other sockets. When you consider that a standard socket can exert up to 100 pounds of force on the motherboard, it makes sense to use ZIF sockets if you're removing the chip more than once. You don't need to use any special tools to insert these sockets, and you don't need a great deal of technical training. When you consider how many pins are involved in the typical processing chip, it just makes sense to do whatever you can to prevent them from bending during the insertion process.