3 Common PCB Testing Methods You Need to Know
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- Issue Time
- Sep 1,2021
Summary
If you want to test out the unreasonable place of the printed circuit board design structure, you need professional equipment and methods. This article will specifically introduce the common test methods of printed circuit boards.
The design of the printed circuit board is complicated and the circuit is dense. If you want to detect accurate results, you need to rely on the following common test methods and professional tools.
1. Test method for needle bed
In this method, a probe with a spring is connected to each detection point on the circuit board. The spring makes each probe have a pressure of 100-200g to ensure that each detection point is in good contact. Such probes are arranged together and are called "needle beds". Under the control of the detection software, the detection points and detection signals can be programmed.
Although the needle bed test method may be used to test both sides of the circuit board at the same time, when designing the circuit board, all inspection points should be on the soldering surface of the circuit board. The needle bed tester is expensive and difficult to repair.
2. Observation method
The circuit board is small in size and complex in structure, so the observation of the circuit board must also use professional observation instruments. Generally, we recommend using a portable video microscope to observe the structure of the circuit board. Through the video microscope camera, you can clearly see the very intuitive microstructure of the circuit board from the microscope. In this way, it is easier for us to design and test the circuit board.
3. Test method for double-probe flying probe
The flying probe tester does not rely on the pin pattern installed on the fixture or bracket. Based on this system, two or more probes are mounted on a tiny magnetic head that can move freely on the x-y plane, and the test points are directly controlled by CADI Gerber data.
The tester with two arms that can move back and forth is based on the measurement of capacitance. The circuit board is pressed tightly on the insulating layer on one metal plate, and the other metal plate is used as the test standard for capacitors. If there is a short circuit between the lines, the capacitance ratio will become larger at a certain point. If there is an open circuit, the capacitance will become smaller.
Testing speed is an important criterion for selecting a tester. The bed-of-needle tester can accurately test thousands of test points at a time, while the flying probe tester can only test two or four test points on the circuit board at a time. Therefore, the bed-of-needle tester will be more efficient in detecting circuit boards. If you want to learn more about printed circuit boards after reading the above content, you can get professional solutions by contacting us.
As a professional PCB product manufacturer, we have accumulated rich production and design experience in this field. We have a professional production team that manufactures in full accordance with strict standards and can provide customers with safe and high-quality products. We can also provide corresponding customized services and professional solutions according to customer needs. If you want to buy our printed circuit boards, please contact us immediately!