The Basics Of PCB Design And Components

The Basic Set-Up of a PCB

A printed circuit board (PCB) is very common in the electronics world. Surprisingly, one of your devices, that you use often, may have it without you getting to know.

Nevertheless, these electronic devices are used by most people that rarely have a deep knowledge of the technology or its background components. 

Well, let us share with you some background knowledge of PBC design, construction, and components. 

With this background knowledge, you will have a better knowledge of how your electronic device works. Afterward, You may even be interested in a custom online PCB design.

In a simplified way, PCB is a plastic plate or board with glass reinforcement. The board has copper lines and pads that are made from copper layers. 

The purpose of copper lines also called traces, is to permit electric charges to pass through the PCB and provides power to various components that are present or require power on the board. 

The copper lines guide the electricity to the proper destination; serving as a replacement for a wire.

However, in order to get the best deal for your hard-earned money, you need to work with a custom online PCB design manufacturer to supply you with custom PCB that meets your needs.

The Layers of a PCB

The single-sided plate/boards, that is; one copper layer is the simplest form of PCB. Nevertheless, the double-sided PCB can be created by installing copper lines on both sides of the board.

Complexity in design does occur when additional layers are included in the initial design. The new layers possess their copper line formations. 

In advanced electronics, multiple layered PCBs are very important because the copper connection cannot cross one another without compromising the path of the electric charge. 

Nonetheless, design of one side is always reserved for copper lines and the other for housing the components in single-sided boards.

The Mask and the silkscreen are mounted on the top o the copper layer. The green color on the PCB is the work of the solder mask, that is; the solder mask gives the PCB green coloration. 

It serves as an insulator for copper to protect it from metal parts that may accidentally come in contact with the copper. The parts of metals are exposed for easy soldering. 

The silkscreen is then mounted on the solder mask and it has numbers and letters written on it. The purpose of the numbers and letters is to make assembling easy for engineers. 

The Components of a PCB

If we are to compare the PCB with the body system, the copper lines act like basic structure; in the form of the skeleton while then components behave like the essential organs. 

They have different purposes like providing a circuit with special qualities to make it suitable for a particular purpose. A PCB is designed based on the device or electronic piece and different components are needed in connection to various circuits. 

The components may have broad range parts which are elements of electronics. Some of these components include:

Capacitors

They are components that protect electrical charges.

Inductor

It stops charges, stores charge, and change in current.

Diode

It permits current to flow in one direction only, by blocking the other.

Switches

Can either permits current or block it; if they are open or closed.

LEDs

It is a light-transmitting diode. It lights when current passes through it and current can only flow in one direction.

Battery

The circuit receives voltage from the battery. 

Resistor

It serves as a control for electric current passing through them. Their color codes determine their value.

Transistor

It is a charge amplifier.

Summary

In conclusion, PCB is a plastic plate or board with glass reinforcement. The board has copper lines and pads that are made from copper layers.

The purpose of copper lines also called traces, is to permit electric charges to pass through the PCB and provides power to various components that are present or require power on the board. 

You can simply request or contact a custom online PCB design manufacturer that can create a custom PCB for you.