What Are the Common Factors That Cause PCB Circuit Board Failure?

PCB circuit boards can fail for a variety of reasons. These include manufacturing defects, human error, and plating violations. While these reasons can’t be eliminated completely, they can be addressed during the design phase or during the CM’s inspection of the board.

Human error

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are an integral part of any electronics product, so understanding why they fail is important. Many failure issues can be resolved through rework, but there are some situations where new PCB assembly is necessary. If you are faced with such an issue, partnering with an experienced PCB assembly company can help mitigate the chances of a costly, unsuccessful repair.

The process of manufacturing printed circuit boards is extremely complex. Even small mistakes and errors can affect the final product. Besides human error, other common factors that cause PCB circuit board failure include improper soldering and improper component installation. In addition, environment can affect the components. Therefore, the factory environment needs to be clean to avoid failure.

PCB circuit board failure can also be caused by physical damage. This can be the result of shock or pressure. For example, the device might have been dropped a long distance, smacked by an object, or disassembled with improper care. A faulty board may not be able to withstand these types of stresses.

Manufacturing problems

PCB circuit boards can fail for several reasons, including manufacturing problems. While some are easy to detect and fix, others require extensive repair by the contract manufacturer. Some common causes of PCB failures include poorly connected solder joints or misaligned pads. Additionally, improperly placed components or traces can affect PCB performance, and the presence of corrosive chemicals can damage the components.

PCB circuit board failures can also occur during assembly. Several factors can affect the quality of PCBs, including the humidity and temperature in the manufacturing environment. These factors must be controlled, so that the boards will perform as intended. Another possible cause of PCB failure is human error. Some people accidentally remove or bend components, leaving them in an unsuitable position.

A defect in the design of a PCB is the most common cause of board failure. Incorrect or faulty components may cause a short circuit, crossed signals, and other problems. In addition, improperly installed components may result in the board being charred. Other common problems related to PCB fabrication include insufficient thickness of the board, which results in bending or delamination. Improper insulation can also cause a voltage arc, which can cause the board to burn or short out. Poor connectivity between layers can also lead to poor performance.

Misplaced solders

A PCB circuit board can fail for many reasons. One of these factors is misplaced solders, which can lead to a short circuit or other problems. Another common cause is a scratched lamination. This can expose connections underneath the lamination.

During the manufacturing process, PCB components can be misplaced due to two factors. First, the component feeder may not be placed correctly, or it may not be fitted to the correct reel. Secondly, the PCB’s footprint may not be the same size, so a component that’s larger than it should be is likely to fail.

Another common factor that causes PCB circuit board failure is improper soldering. When soldering, solder residues can damage the panel. As a result, boards can develop conductive anodic filaments (CAFs), which are metal filaments that form on the exposed surface. This problem can also be caused by poor glass-resin bonding or PCB drilling damage. Additionally, thermal expansion differences weaken the bond after soldering. This can result in a faulty connection.

Violations in the plating

Violations in the plating process are one of the most common reasons for PCB circuit board failure. These imperfections in the coating process can interfere with other process materials, hindering the cure of the coating, and causing corrosive residues on the PCBs. These corrosive residues can lead to PCB failures and erratic behavior. The best way to prevent this problem is to follow design specifications. Also, using a conformal coating can prevent the boards from becoming contaminated while in operation.

A PCB circuit board can be very critical to the integrity of your electronics, but it’s also easy to overlook it when it’s being assembled. PCB failure can be caused by several factors, including faulty components or manufacturing mistakes. Violations in the plating can affect the board’s durability and reliability, and they can even compromise the safety of sensitive equipment.

Violations in the plating process can also cause a PCB to malfunction due to poor electrical conduction. As a result, the PCB may fail during testing or inspection. In some cases, the PCB may even become unusable due to improper hole cleaning and drilling.