At what frequency do PCB traces start to act as antennas?

Just interested in PCB design. I am wondering whether PCB traces start to act as antennas at some frequency. Anybody knows?

November 14, 2023

Frequencies where the length of the trace is comparable to 1/10th of the wavelength of the wave in air is a decent rule of thumb I’ve heard.

However, you should still be watching out to avoid accidental antenna problems.

Avoid ground loops. Use a single point as ground (usually a plane at the bottom of the PCB), and don’t route the ground of one point through the ground at another point. Ground loops can cause really big signal integrity problems.
Where possible, use differential signaling — that is, a pair of wires or traces — to send signals, and receive them with differential amplifiers.

#PCB Design

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How should I handle wet PCBs?

A batch of PCB got wet in warehouse due to roof linking. Too terrible to shoulder the lost. How can I do to rescue these wet PCBs? Or to minimize the damage?

Oliver Smith November 15, 2023

How can I mount a pulse oximeter on the surface of PCB without putting too much stress?

The PCB has a pulse oximeter mounted on the surface, and it’s tolerance is 0.6mm. The problem is the pulse oximeter needs to touch the bottom case at all times. How to best mount the PCB in the case without putting too much stress on the pulse oximeter? Will screws with flexible washers be all right? Sadly separating pulse oximeter from main PCB is not an option.

Oliver Smith December 5, 2023

How do components not get knocked off or fall off during reflow?

Last week we visited a PCBA factory. We were looking at reflow ovens. A lot of them have a metal conveyor belt the boards sit on. On a double sided board, when you put the board on the metal belt, won’t the metal belt knock components off as they are only held on by paste?

Oliver Smith November 6, 2023

At what frequency do PCB traces start to act as antennas?

Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How should I handle wet PCBs?

How can I mount a pulse oximeter on the surface of PCB without putting too much stress?

How do components not get knocked off or fall off during reflow?

Read Detailed Advice From Blog Articles