PCB

Also known as: Printed Circuit Board, Printed Wiring Board, PWB

Fundamentals

Definition

Printed Circuit Board — a flat board made of insulating material with conductive pathways etched or printed on its surface, used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components.

Extended Definition

A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is the backbone of nearly every electronic device. It provides both the mechanical structure and the electrical connections needed to make circuits function. PCBs range from simple single-layer boards used in basic consumer electronics to complex multilayer designs with 20+ layers used in aerospace, telecommunications, and medical devices.

Key Characteristics

  • Substrate material: Most commonly FR-4 (glass-reinforced epoxy laminate)
  • Copper layers: From 1 to 40+ layers depending on complexity
  • Surface finish: HASL, ENIG, OSP, immersion tin, or immersion silver
  • Thickness: Standard 1.6mm, but available from 0.2mm to 6.0mm

Usage Examples

  • "The 4-layer PCB was designed for high-speed signal integrity."
  • "We manufacture rigid PCBs with copper weights up to 6 oz."

Related Terms

Via Copper Weight
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