7 Most Commonly used Types of PCB (Printed Circuit Board)
Hello everyone, how are you doing and I hope everybody is doing great. i am going to discuss today the Types of PCB (Printed Circuit Board). Thank you, everyone, for coming back to our website and it means so much. we are grateful for your engagement and most importantly for choosing to educate yourself over anything else in the world.
PCB circuit boards are everywhere and we daily use dozens of circuit boards and interact with them. There is no doubt in saying that the PCB has made our lives easier and advanced. For example, the first thing in the morning your alarm goes off, and wherever you hit snooze, every time you send a signal through its circuit board. And probably the list goes on as you turn the light on off etc.
Let's begin!
What is PCB
The abbreviation of the Printed circuit board is PCB, and it is the core of electronic products. But all of them are not equal. They are available in different types and made from different materials and specifications for a wide range of applications. Since the early 1900 PCBs are manufacturing and there is a major
evolution of PCB happened in the last few years.
PCB is a board that interconnects different electronic and electrical components. It is necessary for building a circuit. This article will bring a deeper understanding of the types of the circuit board and help you in finding the most suitable PCB for your needs.
If you are working on some electronics project and want to design or fabricate PCB / PCBA, then we would suggest you to try
PCBWay Fabrication House. They have an experienced team, eager to guide you throughout the process. & they always provide excellent results as per your requirements.
Different Types of Circuit board
- As I mention before that printed circuit board comes in a different size because of their characteristics and different requirements.
- The copper rails on circuit boards are used to connect different points of locations. They are easy to recognise.
- Their design makes them different from each circuit.
- Most of the PCBs are made of fibreglass, composite epoxy, and other composite materials.
- For simple electronics most of the time only one or single layer PCB use. But for the sophisticated or complex one such as motherboards and computer graphics card multi-layers PCBs used.
Now let's find about the types of circuit boards in details.
Single Sided PCBs
A single-sided circuit board is the simplest one and made out after a different process. Let's find out.
- It is the least complicated one.
- Contain one layer of substrate or base material
- One layer of the substrate is covered with the thin layer of metal or copper (it is excellent conductor)
- After the copper base painting usually a protective solder mask is applied.
- A silkscreen coat is applied to complete the look
Since the circuit board is single sided, it is easy to design and manufacture. All of the components are located on one side of the board.
They can be purchased on low cost and especially for high volume orders. Their cost is low as compared to other circuit boards.
They are used in a variety of applications like cameras, radio, printers, calculator etc.
Double Sided PCBs
Double Sided Printed circuit boards are more common as compare to single sided PCBs. Because of their high properties.
- Both sides have metal conductive layers and parts are connected to both sides
- Electric components are separated evenly on the entire board
- Holes are drilled through the board to connect to the other side too.
- For connecting both sides used through holes or with the surface-mount.
What is Through Hole
Through holes in double-sided PCBs means that small wires (known as leads) are fed through the holes with each end of the leads and then joined to the right component.
What is Surface Mount
In the surface mount wires are not used as connectors. Alternatively, small leads are soldered directly to the board. Simply put, that board itself is used as a wiring surface for the many components.
- Less space
- Allowing the board to complete more function by freeing up space
- Lighter weight and higher speed than through hole
Double-sided PCBs are used in complex applications as comper to single sided PCBs. It demands a medium level of complexity. The applications that used double sided or double layers PCBs are power supplies, HVAC systems, LED lighting and Vending machines etc.
Multi Layers PCBs
The Multi Layers PCBs are more complex than double sided PCBs. It consists of a series of three or more double layers. These are using advanced technology in double sided boards.
- More than two layers of the substrate on the board
- The insulating material used on every layer
- The same latest technology of double sided is used to connect the different components
- The largest multilayer PCB was fifty layers thick.
All the applications that are using multi layers PCBs are data storage, file servers, satellite etc.
Rigid PCBs
Rigid Circuit boards are made of the solid substrate like printed circuit boards. Printed circuit board are not just classified based on layers and sides.
- It prevents the board from twisting.
- A most common example is a rigid motherboard
- The main difference is the number of layers
- Rigid PCBs consist of different rigidity
Rigid PCBs can be simple to multi-layers of PCBS. These PCBs can be used everywhere where it needs for PCB. This type of circuit board is solid and inflexible.
Fibreglass is one of the best options because it keeps the board from bending and stops any type of damage.
Flex PCBs
Flex is a short form of flexible. You can guess it with a name that it will make the flexible PCBs with the flexible plastic.
- Fit into different shapes
- Bend the board anytime and keep it safe
- Costly than other designs
- PCBs are light in weight and used in advanced technology
Rigid-Flex PCBs
As shows in name that it is the combination of rigid and flex. It is the last type a litle bit confusing but the main concept behind it was to use it with the strongest boards.
- Bothe flexibe and rigid
- Circuit board is rigid but its connect layers with the flex circuit board
- Difficult to make
- Consist of multi layers of flexible PCBs
It have many advantages of using over flex and rigid PCBs. These are found in cell phone applications, digital cameras and automobile etc.
How does a PCB work? (Printed Circuit Board)
Hello friends, as you all have seen that I am trying to help you in getting to know in depth about PCBs. Today I am going to discuss How does a PCB work? (Printed Circuit Board). As I discussed in my last two articles:
Types of PCB (Printed circuit board), Evolution of PCB. Both of them are significant articles and assist you in learning more about PCBs.
As you all know, PCBs are now part of our daily life and used in every electronic equipment. The device you are using to read this article also using PCBs either it is a phone or PC.
The PCB has a major advantage over all the old circuit board because now PCBs work more precisely as compared to an earlier time.
Look at the example below:
All the large cables were connected where they fit, but there was not a proper setup.
However, now PCBs use a different approach. Therefore PCBs are available in different sizes and shapes. Now PCBs are designed on a computer and can be fitted with different components.
Parts of PCB
Large Wires turn into Thin Lines
Now when you look at the PCB, you can’t find any large wires on the circuit board. Because larger wires are turned into
thin lines and those are conductive and connect all the components in the circuit.
Tiny Holes and Save Significant Space
When you see a tiny hole in a PCB, it is a place where a component will be fixed. All the tiny holes are drilled exactly where all the components need to be placed.
For example, such as:
If a microchip is placed and it is a part of the circuit and required six connections, in that case, the same numbers of holes will be made on the board.
Now part of the circuit can be fixed perfectly and without long wires and leads.
Components
It is the last and final part that is added to the circuit board. Components are the small electronic devices that should be linked to the unit to work. The most common components that are included in printed circuit boards are:
- Microchips
- Resisters
- Switches
- Diodes
The function of the PCB components is:
- Battery - Its supply power to the circuit and by a double terminal device.
- Diode - Diode controls the electricity on the circuit board and forces it to flow in one direction.
- Capacitor - It can quickly hold and release the electrical charge.
- IC (Integrated Circuit) - It is a chip that contains on many circuits and components and it can quickly release and hold any charge.
- Inductor - It stores energy from an electrical current as a magnetic energy store.
- Resistor - It provides resistance and manages the flow of electrical current.
- Switch - Switch will either block the current or let it flow. It depends on it is closed or open
- Transistor - Transistor control the electrical signals.
- LED (Light Emitting Diode) - It is a small light on the circuit board and it will be helping in providing a visual response.
All these components perform the work of the circuit and PCB provides the connections.
How PCB works or gets created Nowadays?
- Nowadays, most of the electronic circuit is designed on a computer. This helps electrical engineer in creating the perfect mounted arrangements parts.
- All of this process happens before making the design permanent. It is more like ink on a paper.
- PCB got printed after when their design is completed.
- You can get your PCB done, online by various companies and the one, I recommend, is PCBWay. They got a professional team and delivers the order on time.
The raw circuit board has two layers:
- The bottom layer is non-conductive.
- The top layer is conductive and the sheet of the top layer is made of metal such as copper.
- An ink that is printed on the metal layer is Etch-resistant ink and it is required in the design.
- Thereafter the board is covered with chemicals. It will remove the metal layer except where the design is printed.
What was the purpose?
The conductors will remain in the pattern where it was needed for the circuit. When the components will be connected to the board and preserve.
Now PCBs will be tested and if they will pass the test, then it will be shipped.
All of this process is automated with thousands and millions of the same circuit board being built for use around the world.
Why PCBs are necessary for electronic and Technology Industry
- Mechanical support for electronic devices
- Connect various components to other materials
- Serve as conductor of heat transfer
- Guard the electronic components by providing electromagnetic
- Provide electrical impedance and minimize and maximize the transfer of power.
Conclusion
I hope you understand how does PCBs work and what is the purpose of its parts and their functions.
It will help you in choosing the best PCB for you.
If you have any question regarding this article or any other related to the PCB. Feel free to comment down below and ask as much as you want.
Because we love to hear from you and happy to help in any situation.