Description
A ZIF (Zero Insertion Force Socket) allows you to insert and remove chips easily from an existing circuits. These are often used for chip programmers or when you need to test a chip without damaging it. Move the lever up and chips drop right in. Move the lever down to ‘latch’ the chip in place.
This socket is designed for DIP chips of up to 40 pins and 0.6″ wide, and works well with the very common 0.3″ such as the ATMEGA328p. What’s nice about it is it can snap into an existing circuit board or socket that is designed for 0.6″ chips so you may not have to redesign the board!