Manufacturers of electronic equipment turn to the printed circuit board (PCP) as the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. Here are the key advantages.
Efficient Size
PCBs can contain multiple electronic components due to their compact size. Added to this, PCBs save on wire by using copper tracks for interconnections instead. PCBs have a connection function to route electronic signals via their copper circuitry. This enables the PCB to hold many very small components and is far less bulky than wire. Large or complicated circuit designs can be fitted into a much tinier space through this compressed method, thus decreasing the area they take up in devices. PCBs, therefore, simplify the process.
Ease of Repair
PCBs are very easy to repair. Silkscreen is used to label the polarities onto the board. This is an advantage not only for fixing a non-functioning PCB but also for building them. Signal paths can be tracked with diagnostics. Bear in mind that the silkscreen is for the benefit of the assembly provider or a person doing troubleshooting or testing the PCB. Liquid Photo Imaging (LPI) and Direct Legend Printing (DLP) are used to do silkscreen printing.
The Benefit of Saving Time and Energy
The traditional method of making circuit boards was time-consuming and is labor-intensive. The process of printing circuit boards is much quicker and requires less energy to construct. The use of computers has changed how PCBs are produced.
Fixed Components
The components for the PCB are soldered onto the board to prevent them from moving around. Solder flux is used and prevents any movements of the parts. Even if the board is shifted, your components will stay firmly in place.
Decreased Incidences of Short Circuits
The connections in the PCB are put into place with copper tracks. Sometimes a different conducting metal is used. However, the tracks, regardless of their metal, keep the connections from coming loose. This prevents the PCB from experiencing a short circuit.
Reduced Electronic Noise
A PCB that has been correctly laid out should produce little to no electronic noise. The design of the component layout ensures that path lengths are minimal, thereby reducing crosstalk. This lowers the volume of radiation and electromagnetic waves. Consequently, electronic noise should not be detectable and is released as heat or radiation.
Lower Costs
PCBs are usually constructed using computerized systems. The layout of the schematic design can be saved to the system. This means that the same design can be reused as often as required. This is especially useful for mass production. Octopart searches across hundreds of distributors and thousands of manufacturers to obtain a competitive price.
Reliability
All the factors mentioned above help to achieve a reliable product. A fully automated process is used to produce PCBs and ensures consistency. They are also checked at every stage of the construction procedure to eliminate errors creeping in. The result is a dependable end-product.
Disadvantages of PCBs
Overall, the advantages of PCPs are many. However, there are some minor disadvantages. Firstly, the copper tracks are very thin. This means that they cannot conduct a heavy current without overheating. Secondly, the same problem can occur during the soldering procedure, which may cause the strips to be irreparably damaged.
PCBs have numerous advantages, and the best deal can be obtained through price comparisons.
