When designing using high current applications, you need to know that shorter traces are more likely to work better. One thing is this, if the trace is longer, there are chances that you may experience bigger resistance. This implies that a longer trace may slow down your work. You do not want to experience any form of delay while working. This is why you have to be so cautious of the traces you use. You have to restrict the loss of any form of power. As a result of that, maintain the traces. Since you are into high current PCB design, it is paramount to go for the shorter traces.
How to remove solder mask in high current PCB design?
As a designer, one can remove the solder mask of the board. The high current PCB design requires that the board is always receiving connection. One method that guarantees that a trace transports a larger volume of current on the board is by eliminating one’s mask.
As a result, it reveals the basic copper matter. Some additional soldiers can help raise the thickness of your copper. This will then reduce the general resistance of the current transporting to the PCB. In the long run, your PCB can then adapt to some larger volume of current. It would not in any way raise the trace width.
What is the effect of high current PCB to design?
In 2009, the IPC-2152 Standard for Determining Current-carrying Capacity in Printed Board Design was released. This standard for relating trace width, copper weight and current carrying capacity replaced the long-standing and still often used the IPC-2221A standard. Based upon the guidelines of these standards, attempts to develop a reliable means of determining these parameters for high current PCBs have been made culminating in a number of on-line trace-width calculators, such as DigiKey, to assist developers and board designers. Although these tools are not standardized, they can be quite helpful in designing PCBs that are capable of meeting their current capacity requirements.
Most circuit boards process or transfer low power signals for digital, RF or power circuitry. For these applications, copper weights of 1oz or 2oz carrying currents in the mA to tens of amps range are typically sufficient. For some industries, such as military and aerospace, medical systems, automotive and industrial production, PCBs must have traces that are capable of carrying hundreds or thousands of amps. For these boards, trace widths must be much wider or copper weights must be higher.
What are the considerations of high current PCB?
Board layout should be considered from the very beginning of a design. The most important rule for high power circuit boards is to know your power path. The location and amount of power flowing through a circuit is a major factor when deciding the IC position and type and amount of heat dissipation required on the printed circuit board (PCB).
Many factors affect the amount of layout for a given design. These factors include:
- The amount of power flowing through the circuit
- The ambient temperature around the device and the board
- The amount of airflow around the device and the board
- The board material
- IC density on the board
If you are going to learn more PCB professional knowledge or want to order PCB products, please click our homepage or instant quote to custom our products.