A coin cell that sits in a holder can rattle loose, corrode at the contact or fall out under vibration. That is why so many industrial and automotive designs specify cells with solder tabs and pins welded directly to the battery. Choosing the right termination is a design decision, not a packaging detail — it affects assembly method, board layout, serviceability and field reliability.
Holder, solder tab or PC pin?
| Termination | How it attaches | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery holder | Cell clips into a socket | User-replaceable cells, consumer products | Contact resistance, vibration risk |
| Solder tabs | Flat tabs spot-welded to the cell, soldered to board or wires | Vibration-prone and sealed assemblies | Not user-replaceable |
| PC pins | Vertical or horizontal pins into through-holes | Fixed PCB mounting, wave-solder lines | Requires matching footprint |
| Wire & connector | Leads terminated in a plug | Off-board placement, service swaps | Extra assembly step |
Tab shapes and why they differ
Tab geometry is named by its layout. The common patterns are 2-pin (T-shape) for standard vertical mounting, 3-pin where extra mechanical retention is needed, and horizontal tabs that lay the cell flat against the board to save height. The pattern must match your PCB footprint exactly — a tab spacing mismatch is the most frequent cause of a rejected first article, so send your footprint drawing with the enquiry rather than only a part number.
Never solder directly to a coin cell
This is the point that matters most. Applying a soldering iron straight to a bare coin cell overheats the seal, can damage the electrolyte and risks venting or leakage — and it voids any warranty. That is precisely why tabbed versions exist: the tabs are spot-welded to the cell at the factory under controlled conditions, and you solder to the tab, not to the battery. If a design needs a soldered cell, order it tabbed.
Match the termination to the process
Consider how the board is actually built. Through-hole PC pins suit wave soldering. Tabbed cells destined for reflow need cells rated for the thermal profile — a standard coin cell will not survive a reflow oven, so specify a reflow-capable type or fit the cell after reflow. For sealed or potted assemblies where the cell must last the life of the product, tabbed lithium button cells are the norm.
Typical applications
Tabbed cells dominate wherever vibration, temperature or sealing rule out a holder: TPMS tyre sensors, automotive keyless entry, industrial meters and data loggers, medical devices, alarm and security panels, and RTC or memory backup on embedded boards. Where the cell must tolerate temperature extremes as well, tabbed low temperature batteries rated to -40°C are specified.
What to send when requesting a quote
- Cell model (CR2032, CR2450, ER14250 and so on) and required capacity
- Tab pattern and dimensions, or your PCB footprint drawing
- Tab material and thickness if your process requires it (nickel is standard)
- Assembly method — hand solder, wave, reflow, or wire and connector
- Operating temperature range and expected service life
Frequently asked questions
Can I solder wires directly onto a CR2032?
No. Direct soldering overheats the cell seal and can cause leakage or venting, and it voids the warranty. Order the cell with factory spot-welded solder tabs and solder to the tabs instead.
What is the difference between solder tabs and PC pins?
Solder tabs are flat metal strips spot-welded to the cell, soldered to a pad or wire. PC pins are formed leads designed to drop into through-holes on a PCB. Tabs offer more layout freedom; pins align with a fixed footprint and suit wave soldering.
Are tabbed coin cells reflow-solderable?
Only if the cell is specified for it. A standard coin cell will not survive a reflow profile. Either use a reflow-rated type or install the tabbed cell after reflow. Tell us your process and we will confirm which cells are suitable.
Source tabbed coin cells
JBWCELL supplies coin cells with solder tabs and pins across the CR, BR, ML, LIR and Li-SOCl2 ranges, plus battery holders where a replaceable cell is preferred. Send your footprint and duty cycle and our engineers will confirm the right cell and tab pattern — contact JBWCELL for samples and OEM/ODM pricing.
