Manufacturing and assembly of printed circuit boards (PCBs) involve various steps, each carried out differently to achieve desired results. Today, many technologically advanced and computerized equipment and machines are used for PCB manufacturing and assembly. This helps minimize overall production costs, product recalls, design and manufacturing errors, and more. This implies that PCBAs are a critical component in the functioning and quality of electronic devices. Although many things have been written about PCBs and their manufacturing and assembly, many laypersons and enthusiasts may not know much about printed circuit board components. This post discusses PCB assembly components in detail.

Critical-Components-used-in-PCB-Assembly

Common PCB Assembly Components Discussed

There are several types of electronic components mounted on a PCB. They are classified into two categories – active and passive components. The following list describes these components in detail.

  • Active Components: These components depend on their external power source to activate the inputs. Active components can have a control that helps them to change the flow of the electrical signal depending on the specific conditions. Here are some common examples of active components.
    • Diodes: They are semiconductor components that allow unidirectional flow of current– from anode (+) to cathode (-). This can be accomplished by having zero resistance in one direction and high resistance in the other. Diodes block the current flow in the wrong direction that could cause possible damage to the equipment.
    • Transistors: They have become crucial to PCB assembly components owing to their multiple functionalities. This means they can conduct and insulate the electrical signal, and can act as amplifiers and switches.
    • Integrated Circuits (ICs): Popularly called microelectronic circuits, they are electronic component assemblies in which miniaturized electronic components and their interconnections are built.
    • Oscillators: These are programmable timers that can produce electronic signals periodically.
  • Passive Components: These are those that utilize stored energy in the form of current or voltage. Unlike active components, they do not have control over the current flow. Examples of such components are as follow:
    • Resistors: They are commonly used components in different PCB assemblies. They can resist the current flow by dissipating electric power as heat. 
    • Capacitors: They are another common component mounted on the circuit board. Their main function is to hold the electric charge and release it when required in the circuit.
    • Inductors: Similar to capacitors, inductors also store energy in the form of a magnetic field. The energy is generated when current flows through them.
    • Transformers: As the name implies, they transfer electrical energy from one to another circuit, with an increase or decrease in voltage. Technically, their main function is to regulate current.
  • Mechanical Components: Apart from these electronic components, there may be some important ones that purely function as mechanical support. These are described below.
    • Core: They provide the required stiffness to carry all electrical components. However, they can only form double-sided PCBs.
    • Prepreg: PCB manufacturers use prepreg to form multi-layered boards. They can be used between a core and a copper foil.
    • Copper Foils: They can provide electrical connections between the components.
    • Solder Mask: They are used to cover the copper traces, except the pads where components are soldered.
    • Silk Screen: It is an ink trace layer used to identify electrical components, symbols, logos, marks, and so on. 

Reasons Why Components May Cause Malfunctioning

Nowadays, since there are many components mounted on the board, the design and layout need to be flawless. Otherwise, the board may malfunction which can directly impact the device or product performance. Here are some reasons why components cause the board to malfunction.

  • Incorrect Component Placement: If components are placed in the wrong position or orientation on the PCB, they may not function correctly.
  • Faulty Components: Sometimes, components can be damaged during the manufacturing process, transportation or storage, which can cause them to malfunction. Faulty components can also result from poor quality control during the manufacturing process.
  • Incompatibility: Some components may not be compatible with each other, or with the rest of the circuit, which can cause malfunctions. This can be due to differences in voltage, current, or frequency requirements.
  • Overheating: Components that generate a lot of heat, such as power transistors or voltage regulators, can cause the PCB to malfunction if they overheat. This can happen if the heat is not dissipated properly or if the component is subjected to too much voltage or current.
  • Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, and vibration can also cause components to malfunction. PCBs are designed to operate within a specific range of environmental conditions, and if these conditions are exceeded, the PCB may not function correctly.
  • Electrostatic Discharge (ESD): ESD can damage electronic components, especially sensitive ones like microchips. If components are not properly protected from ESD during handling or assembly, they can malfunction or fail prematurely.

A good PCBA features all above-mentioned components in a proper ratio and depending on the application requirement. The type, quality, and assembling of components, wiring, and so on directly impacts the PCB assembly functioning. Therefore, it is crucial to partner with a trusted PCB assembly services to source your PCBAs. Suntronic Inc. stands tall among its other competitors. With years of market presence and skilled employees, Suntronic offers superior, performance-driven PCBs that are designed in accordance with industry standards.