Ask anyone, what is one of the greatest inventions of our ancestors, and most would probably say “fire.” The importance of fire is indisputable, especially for providing warmth against cold. But as good as it is in protecting us from extreme temperatures, fire, or heat in general, it can also be dangerous. Thus, insulation steps in. Insulation in households protects us from cold and heat and works similarly in electronics, and print circuit boards (PCB), in particular.

WHAT IS PCB INSULATION?

A print circuit board, usually a rectangle or square-shaped green-coloured board made of copper, is the workhorse of the electronic sector. This small piece of equipment powers up electronic devices. In this board is its insulation, a dielectric material usually made of fibreglass (FR4), which separates and isolates conducting layers from other elements. This insulating layer protects the electrical conductors of the board from getting in contact with unwanted environmental factors and keeps it from poor performance.

WHY IS PCB INSULATION NECESSARY?

For optimal functioning, print circuit boards rely on electricity conducted via copper wires laid out on the PCB to maintain connections in a controlled manner. However, the electric components on the board can get pretty dangerous in case of a mistaken link. Thus, insulation helps prevent high temperatures, corrosion of copper elements, and accidental contacts.

Basically, it keeps the board from overheating, which can otherwise cause the components to malfunction or the entire board to break down. The damage can be severe, even causing the board (or the final device) to burst into flames.

But what exactly does insulation have to do with the PCB design? As technological advances rapidly unfold, PCBs are getting more solid, with multiple layers supporting the board’s complexities and preventing design errors.

Failing to insulate the PCB might negatively impact the design, resulting in a complete loss of effort, resources, and finances. However, correctly insulated PCBs eliminate signal interferences in adjacent layers, boost the thermal distribution when assembling the board, support the voltage integrity, and maintain its power demands.

In short, the right type of insulation can keep the manufacturing, assembling, and operation of the PCB under check.

COATING OF PCB INSULATION

Print circuit boards are expected to function without any hitches. However, factors like dust, corrosion, increasing temperature, overburdening voltage, or accidental impact can hamper the board’s efficiency, durability, and integrity. Here, insulation coating has an important role. It provides coverage against all these negative factors and mitigates associated risks. It is also for this reason that engineers are able to meet the compactness demands of the end users.

The coating material can be made of epoxy resin, polyurethane, organic silicon, or acrylic acid resin coating. Depending on the end-use, the coating material can vary, and so will its cost.  It is essential to do thorough research before finalising your decision. If the process seems a little too complicated, outsource the task to your local experts for a quick, comprehensive, and reliable job.

Trust the Experts for High-Quality PCB Manufacturing

PCB insulation is one of the many crucial aspects of PCB manufacturing. It promotes the durability, structural integrity, and safety of the print circuit boards. When the PCB functions optimally, the end devices, too, will be high performing.