← Back to Electronic FundamentalsSection 4.2 Notes Mind map Quiz Unlock with Engineer
Printed Circuit Boards
Description and use of printed circuit boards — substrate, tracks, pads and vias; single, double and multilayer construction; through-hole and surface-mount components; conformal coating and ESD precautions.
Printed circuit boards — summary notes
FreeMain ideas
- A printed circuit board is an insulating substrate carrying etched copper tracks that replace point-to-point wiring.
- Features: tracks (conductors), pads (component connection points), and vias (plated holes linking layers).
- Boards may be single-sided, double-sided or multilayer.
- Components are fitted either through-hole (THT), with leads passing through the board, or surface-mount (SMD), soldered directly to pads on the surface.
- Conformal coating protects against moisture, dust and vibration.
- ESD (electrostatic discharge) precautions are essential when handling boards — wrist straps, grounded mats and antistatic bags.
- ⚠ Exam trap: this is a Level 1 topic — recognition and purpose are examined, not detailed manufacturing processes.
Solved examples
Why must ESD precautions be observed when handling an avionics circuit board?
A static discharge far below the level a person can feel can puncture the thin oxide layers inside semiconductor devices, causing immediate failure or latent damage that shows up later in service.
PCB concept map
FreePrinted Circuit Boards
Printed circuit boards quiz
ProThis quiz is part of Engineer
Upgrade to unlock every quiz, mock exam and advanced simulation across all modules. Notes and mind maps stay free.