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What is ENIG PCB Surface Finish?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jun 6, 2023

Immersion gold, also known as Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG), is a common type of printed circuit board (PCB) surface finish. It involves depositing a thin layer of gold on the PCB's copper traces and pads using a chemical process that does not require an electrical current.The thickness of an Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold (ENIG) coating on a printed circuit board (PCB) typically...read more

What is the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) in a PCB?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 24, 2020

The Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) specifies how much a printed circuit board will expand/contract when it is heated or cooled. The unit of CTE is PPM/°C i.e parts per million per Celsius degree. So lets assume a PCB is made out of FR4 which has a CTE of 17 (usually it is 14 to 17 ppm/°C). If the PCB is 1 Million inches long then it will expand by 17 inches for every 1 °C incre...read more

What is Dendrite Growth on PCBs?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 19, 2023

Dendrite Growth on PCBs may sound like a complex chemical phenomenon that seems far-fetched away from Electronics. However, dendrites are something that can have a significant impact on the performance and reliability of electronic devices like PCBs. These tiny dendrites are made up of conductive materials that can spread out on the surface of PCBs. Dendrites eventually bridge two or more conducti...read more

What is a Single Sided PCB?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 16, 2019

A Single Sided PCB is the most basic type of printed circuit board. It consists of only one conductive copper layer above the substrate. The electrical components are soldered or mounted on to one side of the board and the entire etched circuit can be seen on the other side of the board.Single Sided Printed Circuit Boards are easy to design and manufacturer. They are also the most cost-effective P...read more

SMD Size Codes: A Guide to Understanding Electronic Component Dimensions.

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Sep 22, 2023

In the dynamic landscape of modern electronics, where devices are becoming increasingly compact and sophisticated, Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) have emerged as vital components that drive innovation. Unlike their traditional through-hole counterparts, SMDs are meticulously designed to be mounted directly onto the surface of printed circuit boards (PCBs), allowing for higher component density, redu...read more

What is an Annular Ring?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 22, 2021

A via is created by drilling a hole through a copper pad etched on each layer of a PCB. An Annular Ring is the area between the edge of the drilled via and the copper pad associated with that hole. The greater the width of an annular ring, the greater the copper connection around the drilled via will be.In a multilayer PCB, traces are routed from one layer to another layer with the help of vias. T...read more

What is a PCB Substrate?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jul 20, 2022

A PCB Substrate acts as a foundation upon which a printed circuit board is built. The substrate of a PCB defines its physical, electrical, and thermal properties. Substrates are typically dielectric composite structures that comprise of epoxy resin and are used in combination with a copper foil bonded onto one or both sides. A solder mask is then applied over the copper layer to insulate it and pr...read more

What is PCB Power Plane?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Aug 3, 2023

A PCB (Printed Circuit Board) power plane refers to a dedicated layer within the PCB that is specifically designed to carry and distribute power throughout the circuit. It is typically a copper layer with a large surface area that provides a low-impedance path for delivering power to various components on the board.Power planes are commonly used in multilayer PCB designs, where one or more layers ...read more

What is Reflow Soldering? A Comprehensive Guide to the Process

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Dec 26, 2023

Reflow soldering is a sophisticated and widely used technique in electronics manufacturing that facilitates the precise and automated assembly of electronic components onto printed circuit boards (PCBs). Unlike traditional soldering methods, reflow soldering involves the application of solder paste to the PCB, followed by a carefully controlled heating process. This leads to the melting and subseq...read more

What is Dielectric Constant (Relative Permittivity) in PCBs?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Dec 28, 2022

The Dielectric Constant (Dk), also known as the Relative Permittivity (?r) of a laminate, is a measure of the capacitance or energy difference between a pair of conductors in the vicinity of the laminate and that pair of conductors in a vacuum. All materials have Dk values that are slightly higher than that of a vacuum, which is 1.0. In comparison to materials with lower Dk values, a laminate with...read more

What Is PCB Measling?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

May 20, 2020

Measling is the occurrence of discrete white spots in the base laminate material of a PCB. Measling usually occurs when the resin is not properly applied to the board during the lamination process. These defects appear during the PCB production cycle and signify a malfunctioning board.A small amount of measling can be tolerated on printed circuit boards however when excessive this can degrade elec...read more

What is ENEPIG Plating?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Apr 13, 2020

ENEPIG (Electroless Nickel Electroless Palladium Immersion Gold) is a type of surface plating applied on a Printed Circuit Board to protect it from environmental factors during storage and operation. ENEPIG is prepared by depositing electroless Nickel (Ni 3-5 μm), followed by electroless Palladium (Pd 0.05-0.1μm), and an immersion Gold layer (Au 0.03-0.05 μm). It is good for solder joint ...read more

What is Dissipation Factor (Loss Tangent) in PCBs?

PCB Basics

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Dec 21, 2022

The Dissipation Factor (Df), also known as the loss tangent (tan(δ)), is a measurement of signal attenuation as it travels down the transmission line. This attenuation, also referred to as dielectric loss, is caused by electromagnetic waves being absorbed by the dielectric material. The dielectric loss increases proportionally with frequency.In an alternating electric field, the hysteresis e...read more

Understanding PCB Design Techniques for Space-Qualified Applications.

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Oct 3, 2023

The importance of PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design in space applications cannot be overstated. These intricate electronic systems serve as the nerve centre of spacecraft and satellites, orchestrating critical functions and data processing. However, the unforgiving environment of space presents a multitude of extreme conditions and challenges that necessitate specialized PCB design techniques.Spa...read more

What is Lead-Free (RoHS) Soldering?

Editorial Team - PCB Directory

Jan 16, 2020

The soldering process which uses a lead-free solder material is called RoHS or Lead-free Soldering. Lead (Pb) based elements are Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether. Over time these materials can form toxic substances which can threaten human life and the environment.To avoid the use of Lead (Pb) based soldering materials, the European...read more

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