PCB Full Form

The PCB full form is a Printed Circuit Board and is a non-conductive electric circuit that connects different types of components like IC, transistor, etc. Generally, the PCB has conductive paths written on it, and they provide a route for the current to flow into the electrical parts. The printed circuit board has a wide array of uses across various industries. You can find them in electronic and computing devices like graphic cards, and internal hard drive circuit boards that include laptops, mobile phones, TV etc.

What is PCB Full Form?

As discussed above, PCB full form is Printed Circuit Board. It forms an integral part of electronic devices. A printed circuit board comprises lines, pads and other components that remain etched from copper sheets enabling connection among electric components within a product. 

If we try tracing back the invention of PCB, we have to focus on 1936 as it is considered the invention period. An Austrian engineer discovered a printed circuit board he found in a radio set while working in the United Kingdom. In fact, the USA built proximity fuzes by using the electric board during the second world war.

Are you curious to learn more about PCB? Then keep reading our article as we will offer detailed insight into features, uses and benefits of the printed circuit board.

Overview of PCB

What Are the Components a PCB?

A printed circuit board (PCB full form) can function swiftly because of components like capacitors, transistors, fuses and inductors. Each of these elements remains interconnected, failure of any one of them can disrupt the working of the circuit board. Below is a list of these components and their role in the circuit board for your better understanding. 

• Capacitors

Capacitors play the vital role of holding electrical charges within the board. It releases electrical charges in areas which require more power to function properly. They generally collect opposite charges on two conductive layers in a circuit.

• Resistors

Resistors are perhaps the most important components in a PCB. One of the primary and crucial functions of a resistor is producing voltage and dematerializing electric power into heat. They come with color indicators to represent resistance value. 

• Inductors

The function of an indicator is similar to that of capacitors. They collect energy in a magnetic field during the flow of current. Inductors are used to restrict signals when faced with any interference from another electronic device. 

Salient Features of a Printed Circuit Board (PCB Full Form)

A printed circuit board is often called the lifeline of any electronic device. Its functionality is dependent on certain factors like line spaces, materials used, size of holes etc. Each component is responsible for the effective flow of current through the circuit board. In this section, we will understand some of the features or characteristics of the circuit board. 

• The thickness of a Hole’s wall: The hole’s wall that is coated with copper should be 25 micrometers thick as it makes the board more reliable. 
• Material quality: A PCB’s capacity full form which is printed circuit board is highly dependent on the type of base materials. High-quality base material for PCB can avoid incidences of short circuits.
• Properly defined tolerances: Be it the drill holes, vias, tracks or any mechanical features, they must maintain district outline as it helps in better functionality of the boards. 
• Solder resist layer’s thickness: To ensure the PCB is resistant to any mechanical impact, it is necessary to choose the appropriate thickness of the solder.

What are the Types of PCB?

The PCBs, the full form which is printed circuit boards, form the foundation of any electrical devices we use in our daily lives which enhances its significance. Be it a smartwatch, heater, television, computer, etc. PCB forms an integral part. In this section, let’s take a look at some of the types of these wonderful circuits.

1. Single-sided PCBs

It is one of the most commonly used circuits. Single-sided PCB comprises a conductive copper layer and each electrical element is placed at a side of the circuit. This type of circuit board is used in simple electronic devices like FM radios, calculators, LED lights, etc

2. Double-sided PCBs

In this PCB, a mounting method is adopted for connecting the circuit across the board. On both sides of the board, a layer of copper is added. It is used in amplifiers, power monitoring, UPS systems, etc. Double-sided PCBs are more flexible and best for advanced electronic systems.

3. Multi-layer PCB

These circuit boards are made with more than two layers of copper. It is designed in a sandwiched manner with multiple conductive layers separated by insulating material. These are generally found in computers, laptops, phones, GPS trackers, etc.They are compact in size and suitable for high-speed circuits. 

Studying the PCB Manufacturing Methods

PCB has become prominent in the technologically developed world as it meets the growing needs of various industries. Power generation is made easy with these circuit boards. To help to understand the reason behind its smooth functioning is because of unique manufacturing methods so let's discuss them below:

• Etching: This is considered a fundamental step in the manufacturing of board circuits. It is done through the layering of copper on the substrate by using a mask.
• Drilling: Drilling involves certain holes in the printed circuit board for establishing interconnections.
• Plating: The process of plating ensures that copper’s conductivity is activated on the PCB and also helps it safeguard against any power outages.
• Soldering: In this manufacturing process, filler metal is melted for the establishment of strengthening a  mechanical and electrical bond. 
• Testing: After the soldering in PCB, testing is conducted that includes mounting cables, connectors, and switches.

Uses of PCBs

A printed circuit board (PCB full form) has been used across various industries from healthcare to home appliances. You can find some of the common uses of PCBs below.

LEDs

Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs are a popular lighting technology used both in households and various industries. In LEDs, the role of the printed circuit board is to transfer heat from the bulb to increase the longevity of the bulbs.

Industrial equipment

High-powered PCBs are used in industrial equipment; otherwise durability of the components might be affected. In some manufacturing units, power drills use printed circuit boards.

Medical Devices

In the healthcare industry, printed circuit boards are extensively used in monitoring and diagnostics devices. While creating PCBs for medical devices, special attention needs to be given to the functioning as patients' health relies on it.

Home appliances

A large number of household appliances use PCBs including TVs, computers, microwaves, refrigerators, etc. It indicates the fact that the printed circuit board is a part and parcel of our daily life.

Why is PCB widely used across different industries?

Printed circuit boards (PCB full form) are present in every electronic device we use in everyday life. Be it the television we watch, or the diagnosis we underwent comprise PCB. Let’s dive deeper into the wide array of benefits the circuit boards offer. 

• The first and foremost advantage a PCB offers is reliability in using any electronic device without the fear of incidents like a short circuit. They are made of high-quality material that makes them efficient to be used in various products.
• It offers a compact and effective solution. As the PCBs use copper tracks rather than actual wires, the output is the same without using current-carrying wire. Due to their lightweight and less bulkiness, PCBs have earned a special place among device manufacturers.
• When you use PCB, it helps you safeguard electronic devices against loose connections or power failure because connection in printed circuit boards happens through copy tracks. 
• Perhaps the best part of using a printed circuit board is it won’t cut a big hole in your pockets. These boards are designed using a few components that make them an affordable choice. 

The functionality of a PCB, the full form of which is a printed circuit board relies on the material with which it is made, so it becomes crucial to choose reliable manufacturing when making the purchase decision of a printed circuit board. Remember, check PCBs for quality and durability to stay away from short circuits or any other mishaps.