PCB:
A Printed Circuit Board(PCB) is a board with electrical circuitry called traces usually copper used in electrical & electronics application to join electronic components (like:- ICs, Diodes, capacitors, etc.) to one another in a controlled manner.
Terminologies used:
1. Soldermask:- A layer of protection that prevents Oxidation and acts as a safeguard for solder bridges and shorts when solder pads and/or traces are especially close together.
2. Silkscreen:- It is used as a guide, routing or reference indication also for designer graphics.
3.Copper Traces:- It is like wire routed below solder mask , used to connect components in a more compact way.
4. Pads:- Pads are exposed metal areas used to connect components on the PCB usually solder is used for connection on surface of the pads.
5. Layers:- It is nothing but number of conducting patterns in PCB, even single layered PCB can have multiple number of layers.
6. Thru Hole Via:- It is a platted hole that goes from the top of the PCB all the way through to the bottom.
7. Blind Via:- Hole starts from top of PCB and stops at some point and does not extend all the way.
8. Buried Via:- Buried vias are contained within an internal structure, and do not have an external opening.
9. Substrate:- It is an Insulating layer used for separating layers consisting conductive material.
PCBA:
The ‘A’ in PCBA stands for “assembly” which means assembly of electronic components on a bare PCB forming an operational electronic device ready for testing and use.
Surface Mount PCBA:
With SMT(Surface-Mount Technology), components are mounted directly on the surface of PCB. This type of assembly is used for small electronic components. But mounting components on the surface makes them more vulnerable to physical damage caused due to vibrations or Impact.
Thru Hole PCBA:
With THT(Thru-Hole Technology), components are inserted into holes drilled in PCB. This type of assembly is used for larger electronic components to achieve a more secure connection. THT PCBA is more resistant to physical damage caused due to vibrations or Impact.
Difference:
A PCB is a circuit board with no electronic components. After assembly of all the required electronic component on the PCB, it is called PCBA.
(This article share by Surya Reddy, Full article publish in Battery Business Magazine with Diagram and figures.)
