How to Desolder PCB Components during the Manufacturing?

As you place a solder wick over the bonded joint, heat it with a soldering iron. The braid’s flux will activate, while the solder melts, which attracts the solder up into the braided wires. If you are going to learn the methods of desolder of PCB components, please check and read the content below for more information.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. Keep Your Soldering Iron Tip Clean and Tinned For Effective Heat Conduction This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s often overlooked and is critical for efficient desoldering. Soldering iron tips covered with burnt flux and oxidation will not wet (accept solder) and will conduct heat poorly. A clean and tinned soldering tip conducts heat through the desoldering braid better and starts the wicking action faster. Before starting, tin the soldering tip by adding fresh wire solder to it. If the soldering iron tip isn’t responding to the extra solder, revive dirty tips by using a tip cleaner, often referred to as “tip tinner”. Plato brand Tip Tinner (part #TT-95) is a halide-free, solid paste which provides quick and safe re-tinning and cleaning of oxidized tips. Roll the hot tip in the compound until the bright tinning surrounds the end of the tip.Clean any residual compound from the tip by applying wire solder and then wiping it on a damp cellulose sponge or brass wire tip cleaner.Finally, apply solder to the tip again to protect it from oxidation.Whenever your soldering iron has sat for any length of time or after you are finished soldering “tin” the soldering tip with fresh solder to prevent oxidation. Clip Used Desoldering Wick after Every Use The temptation is to desolder an area and keep moving up the spool of braid. However, it’s best to work towards the end of the braid to isolate the heat. Once the desoldering wick is brought up to soldering temperature, the flux has been fully activated, so that part will not draw more solder. A long strand of used braid only acts as a heat sink, slowing down your process. Avoid the #1 Rookie Mistake: Lift Up Iron and Braid at The Same Time This is by far the most common error committed by inexperienced operators. After removing solder, make sure to lift up the iron and braid at the same time. Otherwise, you will solder the braid to the contact and risk lifting the pad. What are the instruction of Desolder PCB? 1 Hold the end of the desoldering braid over the first pad you want to desolder. 2 Press the soldering iron onto the braid so that it is sandwiched between the iron and the solder pad. The iron heats up the braid, melting the solder underneath it. The braid soaks up the molten solder through capillary action. 3 Remove the braid and iron from the pad together, and then remove the iron from the braid. Solder cools very quickly, so if you remove the iron first, the solder will set, bonding the braid to the board. If that happens, don't panic, and don't pull on the braid. That's an easy way to destroy the board. Just reapply the iron. Melt the solder and remove the braid. 4 Clip off the used portion of the desoldering braid. Repeat for the other pads you want to desolder. How to desolder an element from a PCB? Whenever you have to desolder something the first question you need to ask yourself is: do I need the component intact? Because if you removing damaged component then often the easiest way is to separate its pins first. For most but the smallest SMD components this can be done with wire cutter. The plastic connector shroud can be broken or melted away etc. Once you've done that removing pins one-by-one becomes trivial. If you do need the component, see if you can distribute heat to all pins simultaneously. For 2-5 pins this usually can be done by adding solder to the pads, making a blob of molten solder. For more pins you can cut a piece of heavy gauge copper wire and put it along the pads, then cover everything in solder and keep heating until all pins got loose. How Do You Use a Desolder Wick? As you place a solder wick over the bonded joint, heat it with a soldering iron. The braid’s flux will activate, while the solder melts, which attracts the solder up into the braided wires. You can desolder a circuit board with a wick in a few simple steps. · Unroll some wick and add some flux (if it’s not already on there or if you want more).· Put the end of the wick on the solder joint.· Press the hot iron on top of the wick. Hold it in place while the wick and solder heat up.· Lift the wick and the iron while the solder is still melted.· Cut off the used wick as soon as you’re done.· Repeat until you’ve desoldered all the joints of the electronic component.· Using pliers, remove the part from the motherboard.· Pros and Cons of the Desolder Wick Method· The desolder wick method is one of the easiest ways to desolder, and you don’t need to be a PCB expert in using it. It’s affordable and only requires a few tools. However, the desolder wick method isn’t without drawbacks.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/22/2022 09:56

What is Prepreg in PCB & Why is Important for PCB Manufacturing?

Prepreg is a dielectric material that designers pack in between a copper and a Core or between two Cores in a PCB to provide the required insulation. Prepreg is simply an insulation layer. Since it can bind a copper foil and a Core, it is safe to refer to it as a binding material. Users can also modify Prepreg to their needs as peculiar dielectric materials. They can also use a chemical process to transform a certain part of a Prepreg into a conductive region through the combination of specific catalysts and additives. Prepreg is a part of untreated FR4. The FR4 is utilized in the PCB manufacturing process, where it performs the function of binding the etched cores together. It can also be useful in gluing the copper foil with the etched core. Thus, the Prepreg in a PCB can vary in thickness in accordance with the height of the etched boards. If we compare Prepreg vs. core, the latter is FR4 coated with copper either side and is made in a core factory. But the Prepreg is sort of virgin FR4 that gels itself into the structure of a PCB board.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What is the Prepreg PCB preparation process? A typical Prepreg process involves: · Reinforcing with resins which can be either thermoplastic or thermoset.· Removal of excess resin· Preparation of curing with high and low-temperature settings What are the applications of Prepreg in PCB? Multi-Layered BoardsThe prepreg in a multi-layered board is what holds the layers together. Once you stack all the layers of the board, you fuse them together by exposing the board to high temperatures. The thickness of the prepreg will be in accordance with the thickness of the overall board. The prepreg should have specific characteristics to it when used on a multi-layered board. The cloth surface should look and feel smooth and be free of any oil, stains, defects, foreign matter, cracks, or excessive resin powder. Complex PCBsIf you have a complex PCB, you’ll likely have a more complex prepreg. You’ll need to use different types of the prepreg to achieve the required thickness of both the prepreg and the board itself. What are the differences of Prepreg and core? PCB cores and laminates are similar and quite different. Your core is effectively one or more Prepreg laminates that are pressed, hardened, and cured with heat, and the core is plated with copper foil on each side. The Prepreg material is impregnated with a resin, where the resin is hardened but left uncured. Most manufacturers describe the prepreg as the glue that holds core materials together; when two cores are stacked on each side of a prepreg laminate, exposing the stack to heat causes the resin to begin bonding to the adjacent layers. The hardened resin slowly cures through cross linking, and its resulting material properties start to approach those of the core layers. The resin material encases a glass weave, and the manufacturing process for this glass weave is very similar to that used to manufacture yarns. The glass weave can be quite tight (e.g., 7628 prepreg) or loose (e.g., 1080 prepreg), which is controlled with a loom during manufacturing. Any gaps and the overall homogeneity of the yarn will determine the electromagnetic properties, which is then responsible for dispersion, losses, and any fiber weave effects seen by signals in the board. PCB core vs. prepreg materials can have somewhat different dielectric constants, depending on the resin content, type of resin, and glass weave. This can be a problem when designing boards that require very precise impedance matching as the effective dielectric constant seen by a signal on a track depends on the dielectric constants of the surrounding materials. Not all prepreg and core materials are compatible with each other, and core/prepreg stacks with very different dielectric constants make it difficult to predict exact dielectric constants and losses in an interconnect . With any PCB core or prepreg material, creepage and leakage current is a concern at high voltage. Electromigration of copper and subsequent growth of conductive filaments are one reason for creepage specifications for FR4 materials. This problem, as well as a desire to increase glass transition and decomposition temperatures, motivated a switch to non-dicyandiamide (non-DICY) resins in FR4 cores and laminates. Phenolic resins provide higher decomposition and glass transition temperatures compared to DICY resins while also providing higher insulation resistance after full curing. How to Choose Prepreg in PCB Design & Fabrication? The Prepregs 106, 1080, 2116, 2313, 7628 of different material suppliers vary in thickness and resin content. In addition, there are versions of standard resin, medium resin and high resin, depending on the resin content. The best possible material is used depending on the desired final PCB thickness, stack-up, dielectric constant (impedance), dimensional stability (registration) and cost. The thicker the prepreg, the higher cost will be. i.e. 7628 is higher than 2116. The cost of 2 sheets 1080 is higher than that of 1 sheet 2116. What’s more, similar to copper clad laminates (CCLs), Prepregs are also available in High-Tg and halogen-free types, but not always in every possible thickness. If you have custom layer buildup, please always state the desired final PCB thickness, but not just the prepreg names.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/21/2022 09:45

What is the Annular Ring Used for PCB Design?

A perfect annular ring will be created by drilling right into the center of the via pad. However, the annular ring may not be in the center because the drilling accuracy depends on the drilling machine used by the PCB manufacturer. There are several drill issues with the annular ring: In this passage, we will tell you everything about annular ring used for PCB. If you are looking for more information about annular ring used for PCB, please check and read the content below for more.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What are the considerations of PCB annular ring calculator? Different fabrication houses will undoubtedly use varied and differing manufacturing technologies and equipment. Average performance houses may offer design specifications allowing a 10mil minimum annular ring. High performance houses may be able to reduce that figure down to 5mil. If pad and via holes are laser-drilled, as opposed to mechanically drilled, then the value for the minimum annular ring may be reduced further still. The class of board you are designing will also play a part in the value required for the minimum annular ring. For example, if your design is of IPC Class 3 standard, which refers to high reliability electronics products, the required minimum annular ring is 2mil. If you do have to reduce the annular ring below the accepted standard of the fabrication house, try to limit the usage of such affected pads and vias. The more pads and vias on the board that use such annular ring specifications, the more chance there is of a board failing during the fabrication process. How to calculate annular ring? To find an annular ring’s width, you need to use this formula: (pad diameter – via diameter) ÷ 2. If the diameter of the pad is 25 mils (0.50mm) and the hole/via is 15 mils (0.38mm) then your equation will look like this: (25 - 15) ÷ 2 = 5 mils(0.50 – 0.38) ÷ 2 = 0.06mm. Let us look at further real-world examples. That will include the annular ring's width for standard vias, micro via, and component holes. Standard Via Generally, a standard via will feature a hole with a diameter of 0.20mm (7.87 mils). On a 0.40mm (15.74 mils) pad, your final equations will look like this: (0.40mm – 0.20mm) ÷ 2 = 0.10mm(15.74 mils – 7.87 mils) ÷ 2 = 3.93 mils Microvia Micro vias are typically smaller than your standard holes. They will have a hole diameter of 0.10mm (3.93 mils). On a pad with a diameter of 0.30mm(11.82mm), your equation will look like this: (0.30mm – 0.10mm) ÷ 2 = 0.10mm(11.82 mils – 3.93 mils) ÷ 2 = 3.93 mils Component Hole As we discussed earlier, component holes tend to be larger than average vias. On a pad with a 1.20mm (47.24 mils) diameter and a 0.80mm (31.50 mils) hole, your equation will look like this: (1.20mm – 0.80mm) ÷ 2 = 0.20mm(47.24 mils – 31.50 mils) ÷ 2 = 7,87 mils What is the application of PCB annular ring? Annular rings are integral elements of a PCB as they create room for solid electrical connections on a board. Without these rings, you will be unable to create reliable connections on your PCB. Issues related to annular rings are problematic and significantly affect the trace continuity and the functionality of the entire board. Unfortunately, some designers ignore the importance of annular rings by creating distorted shapes. When designing annular rings, you should be accurate to avoid drilling off the mark. By doing so, you will eliminate the annular ring tangency.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/21/2022 09:40

What is A Netlist in PCB Design for Engineers?

Take a look at your schematic and think for a moment. If you had to manually transfer the most vital information from your schematic into the more comprehensive PCB layout tool, what would be the most efficient way to do it? You might strip out all the visual elements of a schematic and just focus on transferring the connections between components. If a net is a connection between two components, a netlist is simply a list of the electrical connections that describe a circuit. If you are searching for more information about Netlist in PCB design, please check and read the content below for professional knowledge.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What are the causes of Netlist in PCB design? One might think that Gerber files are infallible and since the industry universally adopted RS274X and ODB++ as standard import formats, they are, in fact, nearly so. However, it is still possible for errors to occur. Features that are incorrectly described in the Gerber file header during importation will change the system’s interpretation of the desired electrical path leading to incorrect nets being defined in the Gerber-derived reference netlist. Corrupted features may include incorrect-sized pads or unfilled polygons. For example, occasionally a self-intersecting polygon will resolve incorrectly (usually because the Gerber file resolution is not fine enough). This can cause the polygon fill to leak through what the CAM program interprets as a keep-out that is not fully closed. What is intended to be a clearance then floods with copper, shorting the hole and the surrounding plane. Exporting your Gerber files with the highest possible resolution (2:6 if possible) or choosing line fill instead of polygons will help you to avoid this issue but supplying a netlist is still recommended. Operator setup errors can also cause the CAM program to misunderstand what it is looking at. The most common problem is a simple operator error when assigning the layer types immediately after importing the raw files. If a negative plane is assigned as positive, or vice-versa, the CAM system will see the reverse of what it is supposed to see. The resulting netlist will be incorrect. To explain: a layer with positive polarity appears in CAM as color = copper, black = absence of copper. A layer with negative polarity will be displayed the opposite way, with color = absence of copper, black = copper. When deriving the reference netlist, the CAM program interprets areas where copper is present as part of the board’s conductive path. If copper and absence of copper are reversed (because the operator has set the layer polarity incorrectly) then the CAM program will create a netlist that does not reflect the true design intent. What’s in a Schematic Netlist? Before going further, there are different types of netlists used in EDA software for IC design or PCB design. These netlists can define logic, connections between components, and hierarchical relationships. They are a powerful tool for summarizing the structure and functionality of your design. A netlist does not contain graphical information—this is contained in the schematic document itself. That being said, a schematic and its netlist go hand-in-hand; the netlist can be generated from a schematic, or schematics (flat or hierarchical) can be generated from netlists. With respect to the information in a PCB schematic, a netlist will contain multiple entries of data, in which each entry contains the following information: · Net label: the name you give to a particular net in your schematic· Reference designators: these designators are for the components connected on the net· Pin numbers: each component on a net will have some pins, thus the pin number for each component on the net will appear in the netlist· If you know how to read a schematic netlist, you can see how a circuit is translated into a SPICE netlist when preparing a simulation. You can also troubleshoot any errors that might be found in netlists from third-party libraries. What is a Netlist File? To answer the question of what is a Netlist file, there are a few basics to cover. For starters, ‘net’ is a term that describes a connection between two or more components. These components constitute the items on the circuit board. It can also refer to the association of capacitors, resistors, and transistors concerning analog simulation tools. Therefore, a Netlist is simply a textual catalog of components and the connections that go with them. Each Netlist has a preceding list of parts and their designations, PINs, and signal keywords for context and reference. Netlists are incredibly helpful during the testing process, even before starting any physical work on the PCB. They allow engineers to carry out these tests to locate any incorrect or missing connections. Netlists also provide nodes, instances, and might even show specific attributes of the components involved. With various structures, complexity, and multiple Netlist formats, no Netlist is the same, but they all play the same integral role in electronic design. Understanding how and why Netlists are beneficial can be advantageous when creating a PCB. Not only will it help identify errors, but making adjustments is a straightforward process.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/21/2022 09:33

What Are the 5 Main Factors of Aerospace PCB Design Standards?

It’s no surprise that aerospace manufacturing and design must meet stringent standards. Electronics in aerospace often face harsh environments, and it may be impossible to repair them while they’re in use -- they’re thousands or millions of feet in the air, after all which means your aerospace PCB assembly better work as you intended. Do you know the details about aerospace PCB design? If you are searching for professional knowledge about aerospace PCB, please check and read the content below for more information.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What are the rules of aerospace PCB design? Printed circuit boards designed for aerospace and military applications shall have a high degree of reliability and robustness, without offering any margin for error. Challenging applications, such as space missions, require an accurate understanding of how printed circuits must be designed and created to ensure a very long period of operation, in often very extreme operating conditions. Unlike most traditional PCBs, printed circuit boards used in aerospace applications are subjected to extreme environmental conditions, radiation, chemicals, contaminants, and more. It follows that these circuits must meet very strict standards, such as the IPC-A-610E Class 3, which refers to high-performance electronic devices whose operation must be guaranteed continuously, without any interruption, even in the most difficult and critical operating conditions. Some of the main applications falling within the scope of the IPC-A-610E Class 3 standard are the following: · Systems for satellite communication· Navigation systems, control systems and on-board avionic instrumentation· Applications for on-ground processing of data recorded during flights or missions (ground stations)· Passive detection systems· UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) Circuits for aerospace applications are exposed to extreme temperatures and must be able to withstand and absorb shocks and vibrations of considerable intensity. In addition, they have many features in common with PCBs for RF high frequency applications, bearing in mind that radio communication in the HF (or higher) band is a fundamental requirement for these systems. Operating at high altitudes, the risk associated with radiation also increases and, as a result, PCBs (as well as the electronic components used) must be designed to withstand high levels of radiation for a long time without being damaged. What are the basic considerations of aerospace PCB design? With any military or aerospace electronics project, there are special boxes your design has to check off: · Can it last long before requiring maintenance?· Have you followed material specs down to the letter?· Can it hold up in a harsh environment?· What testing and inspection will be necessary?· Is it 100% compliant with AS9100 design standards? Have you fully assessed risk? Aerospace PCB design standards soar far above what you’d see in, say, a toddler’s LeapFrog tablet. Aerospace electronic components can be critical or noncritical. For example, there are PCB (printed circuit boards) in the autopilot system on an airplane -- obviously important to keeping people alive. If they fail, you have a big problem, Houston. In contrast, there are also circuit boards in the seat adjustment controls of a commercial airline. These are not considered critical; if they fail, lives aren’t at risk. Still, you’ve got to design electronics in a way that they can “fail safely” and not be a fire risk. When considering how you are going to design military & aerospace electronics, plan ahead to follow the appropriate protocols. The components and materials you use should reflect the requirements you must meet for your product’s final use. If your product is mission-critical, expect longer lead times. The approval process is going to be much longer.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/19/2022 09:50

What is Crosstalk in PCB Design and What is the Function?

Crosstalk is generally specified as a percentage of the signal that appears on the victim line, relative to the aggressor line. It can also be expressed in terms of dB below the driven line level. NEXT varies with the frequency of the transmission since higher frequencies create more interference. Do you know the basic information of crosstalk in PCB design? If you are searching more information about crosstalk in PCB design, please check and read the content below for more professional knowledge.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What are the causes of crosstalk? · Capacitive and inductive coupling: Capacitive coupling is due to parasitic capacitance and inductive coupling occurs due to mutual inductance. · Difference in propagation velocity: It can be avoided by trace length matching and propagation delay matching. · PCB vias: PCB vias with stubs create reflections, thus ringing which generates crosstalk. One way to avoid this is to back drill the vias. · Increased data rates: With increased data rate, the rise time increases as well. According to Faraday’s law, with an increase in rise time, the crosstalk will also increase. One way to reduce crosstalk between such signals is to increase the spacing between the traces. · Board size: As the PCB board size increases, the trace lengths also increase, and these traces behave as antennas. So, it is important to keep the trace lengths as minimum as possible. What are the issues of PCB crosstalk? Too much activity in a circuit board can make the transmission of a signal difficult. Think of two traces on a circuit board running together side-by-side. If the signal of one trace is “louder” with more amplitude than the signal of the other, it could over-power that other trace. And just as it can be difficult in a noisy room to keep your own thoughts straight when trying to speak, the “victim” trace on a PCB will be similarly influenced by the louder signal. The problem then is that the victim signal will start behaving like the aggressor signal instead of behaving the way that it is supposed to. Crosstalk is defined as the unintentional electromagnetic coupling between traces on a printed circuit board. The overpowering of one signal in a trace by another one is the result of this coupling even though the two traces are not in physical contact with each other. This can happen on a PCB that has acceptable trace spacing for manufacturing but where the spacing is not acceptable for crosstalk. In addition to the potential for crosstalk between two traces that are side-by-side on the same layer, there is an even greater risk for traces that are running parallel to each other vertically between two layers. This effect is known as broadside coupling and happens because the two signal layers are separated by only a very small thickness of core material. This distance is often less than the spacing between two traces on the same layer. How is PCB crosstalk minimized? · Make use of segregated transmission lines: Crosstalk is induced by the aggressor trace onto the victim trace, so it is obvious that a higher aggressor voltage will induce more crosstalk. Therefore, it is best to segregate groups of nets according to their signal amplitude. This strategy prevents larger voltage nets (3.3V) from affecting smaller voltage nets (1.5V). · Implement back drilled vias: Via stubs decrease signal integrity, hence an increase in crosstalk. This can be reduced by implementing back drilling. · Reduce parallel trace runs: Longer trace runs (more than 500mils) increase the mutual inductance hence crosstalk. · Maintain adequate separation between the traces: Provide adequate separation between traces (adopt 3W rule). If adequate separation is not maintained, then it will increase the mutual capacitance (Cm). The 3W rule reduces the crosstalk by 70%. To achieve 98% crosstalk reduction, go for 10W. · Use guard traces: Guard traces are used to control capacitive crosstalk between transmission lines. Such traces should be used wisely as they make routing difficult. · Adopt orthogonal routing: Route adjacent signal layers orthogonally to minimize capacitive coupling between them. · Do not decrease the signal rise time: Decreased signal rise time increases the crosstalk. · Opt for differential pair routing: Tightly coupled differential routing eliminates crosstalk because the noise from the aggressor is coupled equally into both branches of the differential pair, producing common-mode noise. Differential pairs reject the common mode noise that helps with crosstalk reduction. · Terminate even and odd mode transmission properly: A three resistor network (T termination) can be used to terminate the odd and even mode.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/19/2022 09:47

How to Solder a Broken Wire on a Circuit Board?

Before we get started, let us understand a little more about soldering and what it actually is. Well, soldering is essentially the process where you establish a connection between electronic components, allowing for electric current to flow for one conductor to the other. Soldering works by heating metal wires with a soldering iron and then applying the solder to the joint. The solder acts as a glue, whereupon melting, it flows over the metals to be joined and then establishing a connection between the metals. If you are going to learn more information about solder wire on PCB, please check and read the content below in this passage.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. How to prepare solder broken wire on PCB? Before we get to the main point, eventually, we would like to suggest useful tips. The re-soldering of wires on the circuit board is similar to what we know about how to solder the electrical wire to the circuit board. So, you shouldn’t face many issues with the re-soldering process. However, if you have forgotten the soldering process, we will recap the process for re-soldering the damaged or cracked circuit board wires. Things you will need: Solder: This is pretty straightforward. You will need a solder for the re-soldering process. These are available in various thicknesses that usually start from 0.02mm. The thick solders are widely used for copper pipe or PCB. It is used with a butane torch. However, you will have to opt for the thin solders for detailing and repairing jobs.Soldering iron: You will need a quality soldering iron to generate the right amount of soldering temperature. You can opt from the low wattage (15-40W) or high wattage (60-140W) for the soldering process. The low wattage works on circuit boards, and high wattage helps work with braided speaker wire. How to process solder broken wire on PCB? Cut the exposed wire to length. Clean your soldering iron tip. Pre-tin your solder iron tip. On the underside of the board, place the soldering iron so that it touches the metal around the hole and the wire at the same time. Then touch the soldering iron to the pad and wire from the opposite side. The solder should flow around the pad and wire very quickly. Withdraw the soldering iron. Do not use the soldering iron to melt solder directly and then try to apply it to the pad and wire: solder flows towards heat, and it would rather stay on the soldering iron than transfer to the cooler pad and wire. Also, it’s not a good idea to clip the wire after soldering as a) you may shock the solder joint so it may fail later, and b) you will be leaving copper exposed on the cut end of the wire. Clean your soldering iron. Pre-tin your soldering iron. You are now ready for the next wire. If you don’t feel like cleaning or pre-tinning your iron, this means your solder joint will vary over time If you do this every time, they will all be the same. When you get into a rhythm, it can take you a second or so to accomplish each solder joint. Always, ALWAYS use the biggest soldering iron tip you can fit into the area to be soldered, rather than increasing temperature. As long as the soldering iron actually melts the solder, it’s the right temperature. By using a big soldering iron tip, you get the heat energy in there quick enough that the temperature in the board doesn’t rise too high, which can cause trace and pad delamination. A big mistake many people make is to assume that delicate electronics needs teeny-tiny soldering iron tips. Nope. Use the biggest honking tip that will fit. Unless you have really close pad spacing or close-together connections, you really don’t want to use those tiny little tips. They are a total pain. What are the different types of wires soldered on PCB? A wire is an electrical piece that consists of 2 or more metal strands coated with a winding of some non-metallic origin. Such a wire serves for transporting the energy from a power source to gadgets and devices. Any electric wire consists of 2 parts. The first one is the current-conducting part. The second part is the isolation that protects the core from external factors. As a core, copper and aluminum metals are used for wires. The insulation is made of paper, rubber, and varnish. There is a certain classification of wires: · Wires for winding· Copper wires· High resistance wires· Mounting connectors· Insulated for overhead lines· Uninsulated · Heat resistant wires· Wires for cars· Wires for aviation· Wires for installationWanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/19/2022 09:40

How to Reduce Electromagnetic Interference in PCB for 7 Effective Tips?

In a PCB, the ground plane is there to provide a 0 volt reference line to the power supply ground terminal for the return path of a circuit. Unlike the basin, however, when “ripples” are made, noise is produced, dipoles can form and the entire board can become an antenna. This is why the ground plane, that copper foil layer in your PCB, takes up as much of the cross-sectional area of the board as possible. Do you know the methods of reducing electromagnetic interference in PCB? If you are searching more about reducing electromagnetic interference in PCB, please check and read the content below.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What are EMI and EMC in a PCB? Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the ability of an electronic system to operate within an electromagnetic environment satisfactorily without generating intolerable EMI (electromagnetic interference) in nearby devices/systems. EMC ensures that the system must perform as intended under the defined safety measures. EMI is an electromagnetic disturbance, where energy is transmitted through radiation/conduction from one electronic device to another and corrupts the signal quality causing malfunctioning. EMI focuses on the testing requirements and interference between the neighboring equipment. It can occur in any frequency range, say anything more than DC. Typically, it happens above 50MHz. Read understanding signal integrity in PCBs. Whenever a device deviates from the defined standards, EMC/EMI dominates the system performance. So, it is vital to control EMI during the initial phase of the PCB design. Controlling EMI in later production stages can be risky in cost terms. For EMC-friendly board designing, your primary concern should be on component selection, circuit design, and PCB layout design. To be market-ready, your product has to pass the prescribed EMI/EMC standards. Why to avoid electromagnetic interference? Sources of electromagnetic interference are all around us, and we can categorize them in several ways: SourceHuman-made EMI arises from electronic circuits. Naturally occurring EMI, on the other hand, can arise from environmental factors like cosmic noise and lightning. DurationContinuous interference is an EMI source that emits a constant signal, which most often appears as background noise. Impulse interference is intermittent, usually caused by switching systems, lightning and other non-constant sources. BandwidthNarrowband signals like those used by radio can encounter interference from oscillators and transmitters, though these sources only affect certain parts of the spectrum intermittently. Broadband interference affects high-data signals like TV and can come from many sources, including arc welders and solar noise. Whether human-made or environmental, EMI can be both costly and dangerous. It can disrupt communication channels and sensitive devices. EMI is a notable concern in the medical field, where wirelesses device usage is on the rise. Unfortunately, EMI can affect the functionality of medical equipment like ventilators, ECG monitors, cardiac monitors and defibrillators. In other industries, EMI can disrupt sensors and navigational systems. The result in all cases is a disturbance of equipment that may be responsible for the health and safety of its users. How to reduce electromagnetic interference in PCB? PCB board design techniques for electromagnetic interference (EMI) There are many solutions to the EMI problem in today's PCB board design techniques, such as EMI suppression coatings, suitable EMI suppression parts, and EMI simulation designs. The above film describes how to reduce EMI. Now briefly explain these tips. · Common mode EMI interference sources (such as the voltage drop formed by the transient voltage formed in the power busbar across the inductor of the decoupling path)· With low-value inductors in the power plane, the transients synthesized by the inductors are reduced and common-mode EMI is reduced.· Reduce the length of the power layer to IC power pin connections.· Use 3-6 mil PCB layer spacing and FR4 dielectric material. Electromagnetic shielding · Try to place the signal traces on the same PCB layer and close to the power or ground plane.· The power plane should be as close as possible to the ground plane The layout of the parts (different layouts will affect the circuit's interference and anti-interference ability) · Block processing according to different functions in the circuit (such as demodulation circuit, high-frequency amplifier circuit and mixing circuit, etc.), in which the strong and weak electrical signals are separated, and the digital and analog signal circuits are separated.· The filter network of each part of the circuit must be connected nearby, which not only reduces the spokes, but also improves the anti-interference ability of the circuit and reduces the chance of interference.· Parts that are susceptible to interference should be avoided as much as possible in the layout, such as CPU interference on the data processing board.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/18/2022 10:17

What is UL Certification for PCB and What Is the Function?

The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) was founded in 1894 by William Henry Merrill, an American electrical engineer. UL is an independent, international organization that tests products, certifies manufacturers and documents safety standards for a diverse range of industries and applications. Do you know the basic information of UL certification for PCB? If you are looking for more professional knowledge of UL certification for PCB, please check and read the content below.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. Why UL certification is important? UL is the only organization that publishes PCB safety standards. UL certification can demonstrate the PCB products have been passed the product safety benchmark. And the UL recognized PCBs could be used globally. It is well known that UL recognized PCB components and materials had passed the industry' s most stringent safety tests and follow-up program. With UL certification on the PCBs, PCB manufacturers can assure customers that the boards they get a match or exceed industry standards for preventing the electric shock or fire. It has been certified for safe use and follows specific standards and guidelines during development and construction. Why Should You Care About UL? Many end product standards now require their PCBs to be built with UL safety standards in mind. The following product categories are just a sample of the applications that UL standards cover: · IEC 60065: Audio and Video Equipment· IEC 60960: Information Technology Equipment· IEC 60601: Medical Equipment· IEC 61010: Equipment for Laboratory Use· UL 508: Industrial Control Equipment All of the applications above must be certified with a UL mark following three standards, UL 796, UL 746, and UL 94. These are broken down into specific sub-categories, which includes: PCB Standard UL 796: This covers printed wiring boards (PWBs) guidelines for standard rigid, metal-based, and high-density interconnect PCBs. PCB Standard UL 796F: This standard evolved to cover flexible material electronics including flex and rigid-flex PCBs. PCB Standard UL 746E: This covers all industrial laminates and materials used in the PCB manufacturing process. PCB Standard UL 746F: This covers all flexible dielectric film materials used in the PCB manufacturing process. UL 94: This covers all flammability requirements for plastics and PCBs. What is the function of UL certification for PCB? PCBs are key components of any electronic product. Any error in the design or assembly of the PCB can lead to product failure. Electrical engineers are under increasing pressure to design smaller, flexible and more efficient PCBs to meet consumer demand for wearables, smartphones, 5G and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. That type of pressure, coupled with stringent go-to-market deadlines, can lead to errors in design, easily damaging your product’s reputation. Fortunately, we can help you mitigate the risk of that happening. We have been advancing safety science in support of PCB conformance assessments for more than 50 years. We can help increase consumer confidence in your products by demonstrating that your PCB is compliant to regulatory safety requirements and has been tested to the highest set of reliability and performance standards. Our full range of PCB testing and certification services tests to UL Standards and many other international, national andregional requirements, including ASTM, IPC and International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Our testing services include: Getting Your PCB CertifiedThe parameters for your PCB certification will be determined by the application of the board in the end product it is designed for. As we mentioned earlier, certain industries such as medical equipment have specific standards that must be met and certified in order for your board to be used. The parameters include the following: · Specific flame rating· Maximum operating temperature (MOT)· Direct support requirements (DSR) compliance· Minimum comparative tracking index (CTI) rating If this is information new to you or you’re having trouble deciphering the applicability of various standards, help is available. Underwriters Laboratory has an engineering staff that can help you to determine what parameters you need to design for in your PCB. Another source of assistance is your contract manufacturer (CM). They can help you determine which parameters you need certification for. They can also support you throughout the process of getting your boards set up and sent out for testing and certification.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/18/2022 10:04

What is PCB Reverse Engineering with 7 Basic Information?

Reverse engineering circuit boards can be a long process, but it’s well worth the payout. There are a few primary stages of reverse engineering PCBs that anyone who attempts to do it should follow. These steps include creating initial drawings, scans or photographs of PCBs that are then uploaded to the appropriate reverse-engineering software and programs. Once uploaded, users have to build the PCB’s layout and use that layout to create schematics. Do you know the basic knowledge of PCB reverse engineering? If you are looking for more information about PCB reverse engineering, please check and read the passage for more professional knowledge.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more. What is the definition of PCB reverse engineering? PCB reverse engineering is a multilayered process that includes targeted PCB research, reverse analysis and PCB design technology reproduction. The process is also used to identify and obtain the design of a product’s functional and structural characteristics, as well as the processing flow. With this information, a company can produce products with similar functions and abilities — though businesses will make sure they’re not reproducing an exact replica of a reverse-engineered PCB. Reverse engineering is primarily utilized to determine and analyze the design principles behind a product. It’s especially useful when a company can’t easily find design information on a specific product. The most common method of reverse engineering a PCB involves disassembling a sample PCB and then analyzing it. From this analysis, a company will create documentation about the sample PCB, which various team members can review. This documentation will often include information about how the product is designed and how it operates. A company can then use the information they gather from a sample PCB to manufacture similar PCBs that may function better than their competitors’ offerings. Alongside reverse engineering’s ability to help companies analyze and outdo competitors’ products, it can also help businesses improve their own PCB offerings. For example, reverse engineering can help them enhance their boards’ functionality by spotting obsolete parts, security issues or poor designs. What is process of Multilayer PCB reverse engineering? · Assign reference designations to unmarked components before starting PCB reverse engineering.· Create a Component level BOM.· Design -Identify the system’s components and their interrelationships.· Components Placement & Mechanical.· XY locations of Connectors, LED, Switches etc.· Board mechanical Mounting holes & any special cuts on Boards, Board size etc.· Download datasheets, application notes, and architecture information.· Create net list.· Make the Schematic Drawing and PCB Layout. Why reverse engineer a PCB? There are several advantages of reverse engineering PCBs — many companies use these devices for various purposes. Reverse engineering can also help you produce more effective or less costly versions of a competitor’s PCBs. Learn more about the advantages of reverse engineering PCBs below: · Maintain crucial PCBs· Get information on PCBs without documentation· Reduce your reliance on experts· Identify weaknesses in a competitor’s designs What are the considerations of PCB reverse engineering? Basically figuring out how the PCB works without the original engineering documentation. You start by creating a schematic by identifying all the components on the board and then finding all of the interconnections. This gives you a schematic which allows you to figure out how the board works. It sound easy but on complex boards in can be extremely time consuming and is frequently made more difficult by the use of complex custom chips. You can actually reverse engineer the actual chips as well, but this is even more specialized and requires a lot of specialized equipment. One of the common uses for reverse engineering is do determine if competitors are using your patents, hardware or Ontellectual property to make their competing products, but there are other malign reasons. Government security agencies do this kind of thing as well to gain insights into other countries weapons susystems, for example. There are specialist companies that perform this kind of work for a fee. If you are right and a competitor is illegally using your patents you may get a financial settlement that will cover your costs, but that is not guaranteed.Wanna know PCB knowledge? Check and read for more.

PCB Knowledge ⋅ 02/18/2022 09:49