Have you ever wondered how PCBs (printed circuit boards) remain functional and are able to last long? The tiny copper traces on PCBs are well protected and do not corrode due to oxidation because of surface protection techniques. In this article, we will undertake a friendly, detailed exploration of PCB finishes, including what they are, their importance, and which might be most suitable for your project or learning.  

Why do PCBs require Surface Protection?  

Think about baking cookies and leaving them exposed to the open air. In no time, they become hard and stale. PCBs also contain copper and thus undergo a baking-like process. During the CNC milling process, oxidised copper will be challenging to use, similar to brown and oxidised apples stuck turning brown, which creates problems during the PCB printed circuit board assembly, as well as the final steps of assembly.  

In order to make PCBs dependable and straightforward to assemble, manufacturers apply surface finishes or specialised coatings to PCBs, which reduce the chances of air, precipitation and other dangerous things, can severely damage their performance. Manufacturers try to use surface finishes that will add to the dependability of the PCBs.

How Does The Surface Finish Of A PCB Work?  

Think about if your school locker had a shiny sticker on it that prevents it from rusting. Surface finishes on PCBs help to prevent copper from oxidising, aid in the soldering of parts onto the board, and help in the overall working of the board.  

Three of the most common finishes you’ll hear about are ENIG, HASL, and OSP.  

Exploring The Main Types Of Surface Finishes Used On PCBs  

1. ENIG: Electroless Nickel Immersion Gold Surface Finish PCB  

The surface finish ENIG is a flat surface finish of nickel and gold that is shiny and helps to waterproof a PCB. The surface is flat and shiny while also being very reliable.

Benefits:  

• Parts soldered to the PCB will remain attached through the entire building process.
• Best for small spaces and parts, like in a smartphone and medical tools and equipment.
• The gold surface delays any rust for months, and in some cases, even up to a year.
• Good for the environment and products with strict safety standards.
• Flexible and helps in rust resistance.

Drawbacks:

• Cost: The finishing touch on a product with gold is prohibitive.
• Not always needed: The gold finishing touch provides needless protection on simple boards.

When to choose it?

ENIG is a good choice when you want to augment the durability and longevity of the circuit board, also if you want to solder small parts while being concerned with the safety of the circuit board and the electronics.

2. HASL: Hot Air Solder Levelling PCB Surface Finish

HASL is an older but still proper technique. It is akin to a PCB being dunked into a bath of solder. The PCB is then soldered with hot air to smooth the finish. The finishing touch can be leaded or non-leaded.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective: This is better for a project that needs to make and sell many boards.
• Electronic components’ protection: The copper parts of the circuit board are covered in solder, preventing rust.
• Error identification: The shiny sensor assists in looking for cracks and the mistakes that come along with it.
• Embraced for a long time: This has been used widely in areas such as automotive, industrial and many more industries.

Drawbacks:

• Not super smooth: The board’s surfaces, which have copper parts, can be covered in solder, preventing rust. Also, the copper components having a rough surface to them are not advantageous.
• Non-leaded option isn’t eco-friendly: This has left a mark on the current eco-friendly approach that many companies aim towards.

When is HASL most suitable?  

For simple projects, bigger pieces, or when the budget is tight, HASL works best. PCB circuit board manufacturers typically prefer it due to its ease of application and consistency.  

3. OSP: Organic Solderability Preservative PCB Surface Finish  

OSP surface finish PCB applies a nearly invisible organic coating. It’s like applying an evident seal to your school books, protecting them from damage. 

Advantages:  

• Streamlined: Cheaper than using metallic finishes.  
• Eco: Does not contain harsh chemicals or metals.  
• Best for flat designs: The surface is even and smooth.  
• Repairable: Parts can be unsoldered and re-soldered without much hassle.  

Disadvantages:  

• Limited lifespan: Protects the copper for only 6–12 months.  
• Risk of damage: Can be easily scratched with improper handling.  
• Hard to check off: Because it’s clear, flaws become difficult to check.  

Best for:  

The best fit for projects needing faster assembly or low-cost outsourcing with a strong focus on saving money and eco-impact.

How Surface Finishes of a PCB Change Real-Life Projects

Imagine a student crafting a model volcano for a science fair. If he doesn’t waterproof the model, it will get easily destroyed. Surface finish protects printed circuit boards the same way finishing a model volcano protects it. It helps to prevent damage, wear, and finish wear and ensures the circuit board survives thorough testing as well as use.  

Whether it is computing, robotics, medical instruments, or toy designing, the relevant pcb surface finish will enable the device to perform optimally. This is precisely why engineers and PCB manufacturers put extra thought into every decision:

• Durability: Will the board need to endure harsh conditions for years?  

• Solderability: Are you using parts that are smaller for the smart gadgets?  
• Cost/ Eco-friendliness: Is the project a school project, or is it a heavy-duty industrial device?  
• Ease of assembly: Will they need to fix or solder the board again?  

Tips to help you choose the Right Surface Finish  

• Check the complexity of the board: Small parts and intricate circuits call for the use of ENIG. Bigger and simpler components can use HASL or OSP.  
• Keep the expense in mind: HASL is the next cheaper after OSP, and then ENIG.  
• Think about the shelf life of your project: ENIG survives for the longest, and then HASL can survive for a few months. OSP survives the shortest.  
• Think of these ENIG and OSP are eco-friendly, and they are prioritising the project directly helps the environment.
• Inspectability: Inspection of HASL is straightforward and visually accessible, while OSP is challenging to see.

FAQs

If no finish is applied to a PCB, what is the most likely outcome, and what is the gloss and matte finish for the identical PCB?

The risk is the same as an insufficient protective coating. Heating and ignoring protective etiquette risks failure. Assembly failure is like the breakdown of a bicycle left outside to rust.

Which of the described finishes has the most extended operational life, and what is the 

difference between matte and gloss finishes?

Gloss finishes are generally valued for being visually appealing compared to matte. They are more prone to scratching, so their operational life will depend on the surface treatment of the substrate.

What do I do if a joint has to be reworked?

Finishes on OSP boards are the most permissive, and so they can be worked on repeatedly, allowing easy removal of the finish and addition of solder.

Easy Ways to Remember the Differences

• ENIG: “Gold standard”—best for tiny, long-lasting boards.
• HASL: “Budget pick”—classic, shiny, great for bigger, less-packed boards.
• OSP: “Green choice”—cheap, environmentally kind, but not for use after a long shelf life.

Wrapping It Up  

In creating or configuring any device, safeguarding the PCB is as critical as deciding on its contours or the components it should house. Industry Standard Surface finishes ENIG, HASL, and OSP serve as the outer guard for the circuitry, making sure it is well protected, rugged, and ready for integration, regardless of what you intend to construct.  

Depending on your expectations, expenditures, and timeline, the finish selection varies. ENIG caters best to high-density and high-end boards, HASL is beneficial to generic works, and OSP is the cheapest of the three and environment friendly.  

The good thing is that knowing these protective methods enables you to engage meaningfully with PCB circuit board vendors or design and execute projects as a seasoned professional.  

Keep in mind, every PCB, regardless of the complexity, merits the right protective finish for its intended voyage. PCB Runner stands by this philosophy, ensuring each board, regardless of its dimensions, contributes to a bright, dependable, and safe future for electronics.

Have you thought about the reasoning behind the differences in thickness among the copper lines on printed circuit boards (PCBs)? The thicker and thinner copper lines are referred to as PCB traces. Similar to the way roads in a city transport vehicles, traces on a PCB transport electrical signals. The thickness of these traces and the distance between them significantly influences the effectiveness of PCB design.

While the majority of you might not be deeply interested in electronics, PCB printed circuit board assembly, or the processes behind a circuit board supplier in the UK, you are likely to notice that there are design rules and restrictions that need to be observed during board construction. In this blog, we will explain these rules and design restrictions for you in a way that can be easily digested, even for a beginner.

Why Does PCB Trace Width Matter?

Consider a PCB trace to be a water pipe. A narrow pipe will not be able to transport water easily, similar to the way a narrow trace will impede the flow of electrical current due to resistant heat. Excess heat can damage the board.

For this reason, PCB designers order the current capacity of the PCB trace width before finalizing the width of the trace. Choosing the right trace width keeps the PCB functional and ensures all signals are processed efficiently.  

Key reasons why trace width matters:  

• Heat control – For the efficient handling of current, wider traces are less prone to overheating.  
• Signal quality – Correct trace width minimizes noise and interference.  
• Durability – Damage to the copper during PCB production in the UK is minimized.  
• Compliance – Manufacturing and safety standards are met.

What Is PCB Trace Spacing and Why Is It Important?  

As with roads, traces on a PCB require distance between lanes, which in this case is called trace spacing. If lanes are too closely spaced, vehicles may collide. On a PCB, with traces spaced too closely, electrical signals may “leak” between traces. This effect, called crosstalk, can lead to short circuits.  

Good spacing:  

• Refrains from creating shorts and sparks between signals.  
• Reduces interference between signals.  
• Helps meet safety regulations for high-voltage designs.  

These spacing rules are determined largely by the voltage level and the PCB production method utilized in the UK.

How to Determine PCB Trace Width

There is no need to make estimations as there are tools such as a pcb trace width calculator which will do the job for you. These calculators take into consideration:

• The Current (Amps) the trace will carry
• The copper thickness on your board
• The temperature rise you can allow

Take for example a 1 amp trace. With 1 ounce copper thickness, calculators will help you determine the width to keep it safe.  

Tip: Safety margins should be added. Wider traces will accommodate for surges just like wider roads which are better equipped for uncontrolled traffic increases

How to Decide PCB Trace Spacing 

As a rule of thumb, the amount of space is to do with voltage preventing a jump. The higher the voltage, the greater the distance.

There is a common standard:

• Low voltage (<30V): 0.1 mm spacing is often fine.
• Medium voltage (30V–100V): 0.6 mm or more.
• High voltage (>100V): Several mm, always comply with safety standards.

Factors Affecting PCB Trace Width and Spacing

Every printed circuit board (PCB) is unique and requires specific factors to be considered when designing PCB traces. These include:  

Current Capacity  

A trace must be ‘wider’ to manage ‘more’ current.  

Copper Thickness  

A thicker copper layer is able to manage more current without overheating.  

Voltage Levels  

More spacing is required for higher voltages.  

Signal Type  

High-speed signals require careful width and spacing to avoid cross talk.  

Environmental Conditions  

Will the PCB be exposed to high temperatures or moisture? That requires wider traces and larger spacing.  

Using PCB Trace Current Calculators  

A pcb trace current calculator is an important tool for firms to take the guess work out and ensure the design is functional. You input:  

• Current Load
• Copper Thickness
• Maximum allowable temperature rise  

Common Mistakes in PCB Trace Design  

• Narrow traces leading to overheating and damage.  
• Ignoring spacing rules leading to short circuits or signals interfering with each other.  
• Oversights such as sharp 90° corners or the extraction of manufactural limits weaken a board.

Prior to submitting your design for printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, ensure it is thoroughly checked for any possible mistakes.  

If you’d like expert design reviews before production, our engineers at PCB Runner can help you optimize your layout and avoid costly errors. Contact us at sales@pcbrunner.com to discuss your project.

Tips for Perfect PCB Trace Width and Spacing  

Designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards is a complex process, and faxing ensures success.  

• Make sure to use a trace width calculator at the beginning of the design process.  
• Make sure to check the manufacturer’s minimum trace width and spacing.  
• Make sure the width of power traces is greater than the minimum.  
• Make sure to keep high-speed signal traces both short and well-spaced.  
• In order to reduce interference, keep analog and digital traces separate.  
• Increase the clearance for high-voltage circuits.  
• Always run DRC prior to production.  

Why These Decisions Matter for PCB Production in the UK  

When working with circuit board suppliers UK, providing accurate width and spacing details makes the manufacturing process smoother. It also ensures your design passes quality checks quickly.

Consequences of Neglecting Design Best Practices:

• The board may encounter failures during the testing phase.
• You may incur expensive redesign expenses.
• There may be production delays.
• Correct PCB trace width and spacing regulations save resources and finances.

Final Thoughts

While selecting the PCB trace width and spacing may seem trivial, it is the core of any dependable design. Be it a homemade pcb printed circuit board assembly or when collaborating with pcb production UK professionals, adhering to the guidelines will enhance the circuit’s durability and optimize its performance.

The positive aspect is that with the advancements of technology, guessing is now an obsolete practice. Smart and safe decisions can now be made utilizing trace width and current calculators, alongside IPC’s standards.

Use of IPC trace current and width calculators or CAD software will further support these decisions. While it is advisable to reach out to design professionals, manufacturers, and in this case, PCB Runner, who are grounded in production reality, can offer invaluable suggestions. Such collaborations will ensure the designs are realizable and align with production capabilities.

Have you ever wondered how electronic devices are able to bend, twist, or stretch without damage? Electronics are a critical part of our daily lives, including high-tech medical devices and smart fitness trackers. Stretchable PCB technology tackles this issue. Stretchable PCB technology marks a potential shift from traditional rigid printed circuit boards. This technology proves revolutionary as it permits circuits to stretch up to 200% of it’s length like a rubber band.

The goal of this article is to provide a more detailed overview of stretchable PCBs and how it’s using today’s technology to innovate the electronics of tomorrow.

What a Printed Board Stretchable Circuits

With today’s advanced technology, stretchable printed circuit boards (PCBs) are revolutionising circuitry by using new materials and designs that allow them to bend and twist. Unlike PCBs, which are rigid, stretchable PCBs have the ability to stretch, twist, and bend over 200% of it’s length without malfunctioning.

These PCBs are created using elastic materials along with specific designs, for example, serpentines (wavy lines), which ensure the stretching is distributed evenly across the circuit and no single point is overly stressed and damaged. This characteristic makes them especially helpful in applications where devices have to move or change shape frequently.

How does the technology for stretchable PCBs work?

The materials and the designs both have to work in tandem for stretchable PCB technology to function, especially:

• Elastic Substrates: Rubbery materials such as silicones or specific polymers, which are soft and flexible, are known to stretch and not tear.
• Serpentine Copper Traces: The copper lines that transport current are not composed of straight lines; instead, they wiggle in snake-like shapes. Snake-like copper lines are able to stretch and loosen without breaking.
• Durable polyethene biosystem: This lays emphasis on the rings of the utilised materials, which are safe for the usage of wearing on skin or even fine for surgical implants.

Durability: Thus, PCBs are very reliable in the regard that they may be stretched several thousand times without any loss of function.

Flex PCB Fabrication and Rigid-Flex Boards

The older stretchable PCBs utilised Flex PCB fabrication or rigid-flex boards. The elderly boards with rigid-flex boards are made from rigid and flexible parts, meant to allow some movement, though overall limited:

• Flex PCBs are bendable, though they restrict stretching.
• Combining solid sections that hold maximum stability with flexible sections results in rigid-flex boards that are not stretchable.

Flex PCBs already enable wearables and high-movement electronics. Stretchable flex PCBs take this further by permitting real stretchability, all while ensuring reliability, which deepens possibilities within wearables and other high-movement electronics.  

Where Can Stretchable PCB Technologies Be Applied?  

Stretchable PCBs, Crosswear Ergonomics, and Advanced Materials Creatively:  

• Wearable Electronics: Smart clothing and health monitors must expand and contract seamlessly. Stretchable PCBs seamlessly support dynamic movements.  
• Medical Devices: Stretchable PCBs are integral to devices like skin patches, monitoring heart rate, and neural interfaces that wrap around nerves to ensure proper function while allowing user comfort.  
• Robotics: Soft robots require stretchable PCBs to provide suitable circuits for motion-responsive sensor skins and joints.  
• Consumer Electronics: Stretchable circuits in new foldable phones and curved screens enable these devices to function even when bent or folded.  
• Automotive: Stretchable PCBs are essential for sensors in car seats and dashboards that flex with the interior contours.  

All these disciplines gain from the capability to design electronics, not only offering flexibility, but also the ability to stretch and adapt to real-world dynamic shapes.

What Makes Stretchable PCB Technology Essential?

Known electronics can be bulky and rigid, which is a problem for some modern devices. Designers of devices and equipment no longer face rigid boundaries concerning the form of a circuit board with the advent of stretchable printed circuit technology. This signifies:

• Enhanced Comfort: Wearable gadgets and devices will be more comfortable as they will naturally move along with the body.
• Improved Durability: Devices will be able to endure repeated bending and stretching without sustaining damage.
• Advanced Electronics: Devices can be embedded into garments, soft medical implants, or the skins of robots.
• Enhanced Effectiveness: Even with stretching or twisting, the accuracy of the sensors and components is retained.

What Are the Issues?

Despite the fantastic capabilities of stretchable PCBs, they do pose a few unique challenges:

• Specialised materials and careful designs to ensure the circuit’s integrity while stretching make fabrication complex.
• Regular PCBs tend to be more affordable as compared to these materials and designs.
• Extreme repetitive stretch or harsh environment testing of the devices is critical.
• As stretchable PCB technology matures and more manufacturers focus on investment, the unique challenges are bound to lessen.

How to Pick the Optimal PCB Technology  

For designers working on stretchable circuits, these points should be noted:  

• Know how your device moves: Will it be bending, twisting, or stretching? Only stretchable PCB technology works for devices that absolutely need to stretch.  
• Analyse the biocompatible option: encapsulation and elastic substrates differ in a wide range for various uses. Consider the medical devices that need such materials.  
• Work with PCB producers who have vast experience in flexible and stretchable PCB production.  
• Blend in rigid-flex board designs in portions that require stretchable and flexible elasticity.  
• Conduct durability and electrical performance tests on the prototypes.  

Stretchable PCBs and the Future of Electronics  

Stretchable PCB technology is making it possible to create extraordinary new devices as electronics shrink and become smarter. Think of medical patches that continuously monitor health stats invisibly, or sensor-laden smart fabrics that change colours in reaction to the wearer’s movements.  

Those boundaries continue to be pushed for stretchable printed circuit boards as researchers find ways to make them stretch even more and for longer. These printed circuits are essential for the Internet of Things, or IoT, as the smart devices need to be well integrated into daily activities.

Conclusion

The stretchable PCB technology serves more than just a purpose; it’s a unique gift of modern engineering that facilitates the flexing of the newest electronic devices. Stretchable circuits improve the functionality of devices in the medical field, robotics, and many other gadgets, making devices smarter and more durable.

Most people are concerned with electronic design and technology innovation, and for them, embracing stretchable PCB technology will be a must for adoption.

At PCB Runner, we help by making these innovations known to designers, engineers, and technology lovers, and in the process, they understand the innovations and stay prepared for the upcoming challenges and innovations.

Designing electronics for healthcare is unlike creating boards for consumer gadgets. A single failure can compromise patient safety or lead to costly regulatory delays. This guide walks you through a proven, end-to-end process for medical device PCB design from concept to production by ensuring compliance and reliability.

Whether you’re comparing printed circuit board manufacturers, seeking custom PCB assembly, or planning a full turnkey assembly for high-stakes medical equipment, these steps will help you meet strict quality standards and reduce time to market.
And if you need expert support at any stage, our team is here at sales@pcbrunner.com  to help you move from design to production with confidence.

Let’s start with a question.

If you were designing a medical device, something that a patient’s life might depend on, how much room would you leave for error?

Probably none.

That’s the reality when working with medical device PCB design. These boards go into equipment like heart monitors, defibrillators, MRI scanners, and portable diagnostic tools. In all those cases, failure isn’t just inconvenient. It could be dangerous.

Here’s the thing: designing a PCB for medical devices is not the same as designing one for a smartphone or a smart home gadget. The technical side is more demanding. The regulations are tighter. The margin for error? Almost zero.

So let’s walk through the process step-by-step, from the first sketch to the point where the board is ready to be assembled and tested. I’ll keep it simple, clear, and practical so that you can use this as a real checklist, not just another “how-to” you forget five minutes later.

Step 1: Draw the Schematic

Every board starts with a schematic. Think of it as your map showing how each component connects.

When you’re creating a schematic for PCB assembly for medical purposes, you want to include key details right from the start:

• The material type you expect to use for the PCB.
• The power needed for your design.
• All essential components, placed and connected logically.

Don’t rush this part. Mistakes here will haunt you later in the layout stage, and fixing them later costs time and money.

Step 2: Design the PCB Layout

Once you have the schematic, you move to the layout stage. This is where you decide where each component physically sits and how the copper traces connect them.

Most designers use CAD software for this. You’ll import your schematic, then start arranging components in a way that keeps signal paths short and clean.

For medical device PCB assembly, noise and signal clarity are critical. That means:

• Avoid routing high-speed signals near sensitive analogue lines.
• Keep critical signals short.

Plan your ground and power planes early to avoid last-minute patch jobs.

Step 3: Pay Attention to Critical Medical PCB Factors

This is where many engineers miss details that matter in regulated industries.

Here’s what you should focus on:

• Component choice: Stick to parts that have proven long-term reliability. Don’t gamble on untested suppliers.
• Split power planes and proper grounding: Splitting power planes and adding multiple ground layers helps reduce interference.
• Clear silkscreen markings: Make component labels unambiguous so assembly teams can find precisely what goes where.
• Signal-to-noise ratios: Medical devices often deal with very low, sensitive signals. Noise on those lines can cause incorrect readings or insufficient data.

If you get just one thing from this section, let it be this: in medical electronics, stability is everything.

Step 4: Review the Bill of Materials (BOM)

The BOM is your recipe for building the board. In medical device PCB design, it’s also part of your compliance record.

What to do here:

• Confirm every part number and supplier is correct.
• Read each datasheet, don’t assume a part will work because it looks right.
• Create an alternate component list in case your first-choice parts are unavailable.

A complete, accurate BOM speeds up full turnkey assembly because there’s no back-and-forth with the manufacturer on missing or mismatched components.

Step 5: Create an Assembly Drawing

The assembly drawing shows exactly how your finished board should be built.

Think of the assembly drawing as the instruction manual for your custom PCB assembly team. It should include:

• Component outlines and reference numbers.
• Polarity markings were required.
• Notes about special handling or soldering requirements.

A good assembly drawing removes guesswork and ensures that every medical device PCB assembly looks and works the same.

Step 6: Add Test Points

Testing is non-negotiable in medical electronics.

Adding clear, accessible test points during design helps technicians check voltages, signals, and performance without damaging the board. This improves test speed, reduces errors, and makes future troubleshooting easier.

Skipping test points is one of the most common mistakes in PCB design, and one of the costliest to fix later.

Step 7: Work Closely with Your Manufacturer

Here’s what this really means: pick your printed circuit board manufacturers UK partner early, and involve them in the design process.

Why? Because a manufacturer experienced in PCB assembly for medical devices will:

• Suggest better materials that meet medical compliance.
• Flag design features that might raise costs or cause delays.
• Help with documentation for ISO 13485 requirements.

A good medical device PCB isn’t just designed well, it’s also built by people who understand the regulations and demands of healthcare electronics.

Step 8: Meet Regulatory and Quality Documentation Needs

You can’t sell a medical device without paperwork, especially in the UK, EU, or US.

At a minimum, expect to prepare:

• Design history and change records.
• Traceability logs for all components.
• Test records and inspection reports.
• Verification/validation documentation.

An experienced manufacturer offering a complete turnkey assembly can help generate and store these records for you.

Step 9: Prototype and Test Thoroughly

Never jump into mass production without building prototypes first.

Prototypes let you:

• Verify your schematic logic.
• Catch signal integrity issues.
• Confirm heat dissipation is adequate.
• Validate assembly instructions and BOM accuracy.

With medical device PCB assembly, multiple prototype rounds aren’t overkill, they’re a smart investment.

Step 10: Move to Production with Full Turnkey Assembly

When the design is solid and testing is complete, it’s time for production.

Choosing a full turnkey assembly streamlines things. It means the manufacturer handles:

• Board fabrication.
• Component sourcing.
• PCB assembly.
• Testing and inspection.
• Final packaging.

This approach saves time and keeps the process consistent, which is crucial for PCBs for medical devices.

Step 11: Focus on Long-Term Reliability

Remember, many medical devices run for years without interruption. That means your PCB must be durable enough to handle long service cycles, cleaning cycles, possible heat stress, and occasional mishandling.

Ask your manufacturer about:

• Conformal coating for moisture protection.
• High-reliability solder joints.
• Specialised component mounting for vibration resistance.

Why the Right Partner Matters

Choosing the wrong manufacturer can lead to delays, compliance issues, or even device failures. That’s why partnering with PCB Runner is critical. We specialize in custom PCB assembly for high-stakes industries like medical devices, offering complete turnkey solutions that meet the strictest quality standards. Get in touch with our team today to ensure your medical device PCBs are built with precision, compliance, and reliability from the start.

Working with the wrong manufacturer can cause delays, compliance failures, or worse, device malfunctions. Companies like PCB Runner focus on custom PCB assembly for precisely these high-stakes situations.

They understand the nuances of medical device PCB design, provide complete turnkey assembly, and ensure that every PCB for medical devices meets strict quality standards.

Wrapping It Up

Designing a medical device PCB isn’t just electrical engineering. It’s a careful mix of technical precision, regulatory compliance, and practical assembly planning.

Get the schematic right. Plan your layout to minimise noise. Double-check the BOM. Add test points. Work with a manufacturer who understands the regulatory side as well as the engineering.

Do that, and your medical device PCB assembly will be ready to perform exactly as needed, every time.

And once the boards are built, don’t overlook professional labelling. Partnering with a supplier like Dura Fast Label helps ensure your finished device looks as professional as it performs, with labels that last through use, cleaning, and transport.

If you follow this step-by-step guide, you’ll not only meet the technical and legal requirements for medical PCBs, you’ll also end up with a design you can trust, and so can your end users.

That’s the real goal.

Almost all electronic devices today use a printed circuit board (PCB). Unfortunately, a printed circuit board that is carefully designed and assembled may sometimes malfunction. At this junction, you may have to employ PCB troubleshooting techniques to repair and resolve issues in the shortest time possible. This is especially the case while working on prototypes or bulk orders from trusted assembly manufacturers. Knowing how to debug your PCB is critical in this case.

In this blog, we will highlight the problems associated with PCBs and the solutions that anyone can perform. Methods and tools will be discussed, ranging from basic visual inspections to complex electrical tests. You will learn to diagnose numerous issues and how to isolate problems. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, these techniques will enable you to resolve circuit board issues more efficiently.

What Is PCB Troubleshooting?

Troubleshooting printed circuit boards, or PCB troubleshooting, is the process of identifying and removing issues that prevent a printed circuit board from functioning accurately. This is often the case after receiving the assembled board, whereby several faults may be present. For instance, the circuit may fail to power on, some components may fail to respond, or some signals may act abnormally.

Every problem requires a definite order of actions to solve it. Start with basic things first before moving on to more complex things. Imagine a detective trying to solve a case; you need to piece together clues to resolve the problem at hand. 

Why is it Important to Solve Troubleshooting Issues on PCBs?  

• Saves time and money: Notice issues early on to avoid expensive redesigns or recalls of the product.  
• Ensures product quality: The ability to troubleshoot enhances the reliability of electronic products.
• Speed up prototyping: Working on a PCB prototype comes with a lot of issues that need to be resolved rapidly.  
• Supports complete turnkey assembly: When you order from circuit board suppliers in the UK & Europe, understanding troubleshooting helps to assure the quality of the order.  
• Deepen understanding: troubleshooting builds a stronger grasp on how the circuit operates and aids future projects. 
  

Common Issues Found on PCB Troubleshooting  

Before attempting to solve issues, it is essential to be aware of the faults you might come across:  

• Open circuits: Paths that are straight but broken.  
• Short circuits: Unwanted connections that alter the typical passage of current.  
• Wrong placement of components: Parts that are installed on the wrong pads or orientation that is flipped.  
• Cold solder joints: Weak connections due to poor soldering.  
• Burnt components: Damaged parts that are considered faulty.  
• Faults in power supply: Voltage drops or instability in power rails.  
• Integrity issues with signals: Distortion and noise due to poor wiring.  
• Firmware or software bugs: Issues that are caused due to coding on the board.

At pcbrunner, we minimize these troubleshooting headaches by applying strict manufacturing controls, thorough testing, and design-for-manufacturing reviews so your boards work as intended from the start.

Essential Gadgets Needed for PCB Hardware Debugging

You don’t want to purchase a whole lab setup to get started. Initially, having a few tools is enough and can be expanded upon:  

• Multimeter: Measures voltage, resistance, and continuity.  
• Oscilloscope: Used to view waveforms and their shapes.  
• Magnifying glass or USB microscope: For a magnified view of microscopes and solder joints.  
• Power supply with current limiting: Used to power a board with a low risk of damage.  
• Logic analyzer: Used for checking and decoding complex digital signals.  
• Thermal camera/ IR thermometer: Used to detect components that possibly overheat.  
• Tweezers and small tools: Tools used to hold small parts that require magnification to be seen.  

Block-by-Block Steps on PCB Troubleshooting Techniques  

1.  Start by looking closely  

Most PCB problems arise from easily overlooked issues. Here are a few of them:  

• Broken or lifted traces: Looking for marks and scratches on copper with a magnifying glass.  
• Solder bridges: Pops of solder that are adjacent and blobbed along with solder.  
• Cold solder joints: Joints that are connected by solder that is dull or cracked.  
• Foreign debris: Shorts caused by dust and metal that is unwanted.  
• Overheat burn: Looking for signs of damage or things that are overworked and burned.

Finding and fixing problems visually saves time and effort down the road.  

2. Basic Tasks with a Multimeter  

Your multimeter can also come in handy for simple tasks with electricity:  

• Continuity test: Make sure the two points that should be connected are connected. A multimeter that beeps indicates a connection. These tests help for open and short circuits.  
• Resistance measurement: Test suspicious points to see if there is low or high resistance.  
• Voltage measurement: Carefully power the board and measure key components and essential rails to check for supply voltages.  

Before complex tools are needed, you can focus on problem areas using a multimeter.  

3. Cautiously Observe While Powering Up  

It is essential to carefully power the board as it may be damaged due to existing faults. Follow these suggestions:  

• Employ a current-limited power supply to help prevent burnouts.  
• Pay attention to anything unusual that may overheat.  
• Listen and smell for burning, which indicates shorts and failed components.  
• Use LEDs or test points to determine if critical areas are powered.  

This step should never be rushed, as sometimes, due to a power issue, several faults tend to be caused that cascade.

4. Focusing on Signal Checking with an Oscilloscope

If functionality appears to be off, check signal waveforms:

• Are the voltage levels at the expected places?
• Is the timing correct? (rise and fall times)
• Is there signal noise or ringing?
• Use triggers to capture transient mistakes.
• Using oscilloscopes allows you to validate the logic, confirming that he made the proper validations that were needed while working on the PCB.  

5. Reviewing the Digital Signals with the Logic Analyzer

In cases where the board has I2C or SPI or UART, the board contains I2C or SPI boards, the board necessitates the use of logic analyzers, hence we:  

• Capture multiple signals and do it at the same time.
• Decode the communication made.
• Detect or measure the timing and any data errors.

This is vital and fundamental for the use of microprocessors during the testing of the PCB prototype.  

6. Examine and Restyle the Solder Joints  

In the presence of bad solder joints, there is always the use of:

• The use of a soldering iron to reflow the joints.
• Use of a solder wick to get rid of bridges.
• And, the use of flux enables the solder process to flow better.  
• Good joints remain vital in the electronics domain and correct undead devices as per the working.

7. Software and Firmware Examination  

In the presence of PCBs having programmable devices:  

• Confirm if the firmware has been flashed the right way.
• Confirm the correct way with debugging tools while processing the code.
• Confirm the running of the software with good hardware to know the defects.  

In some cases, it is the software that causes the entire facade of the hardware failures.

Tips for PCB Troubleshooting Success

• Document everything: Capture notes and take photos during the debugging for future reference.
• Divide and conquer: Take problems on the board in sections so as to lessen the workload.
• Stay organized: Maintain a neat work area that is well-lit, has all the required tools.

Contact our sales engineer at sales@pcbrunner.com to discuss design goals, get a production estimate or explore how our pcb prototype expertise can streamline your next build.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting a PCB does not have to be a stressful experience. Follow the steps of inspection, measurement, powering the device, and analyzing signals, and you will be able to fix most of the hardware issues.

Here at PCB Runner, we maintain a high standard of quality from prototyping to full production. However, knowing the PCB troubleshooting tips provided will help you get the most out of your boards, no matter what stage you are at.