What are the possible reasons that a PCB doesn’t work?

I design a PCB file for samples and send it to manufacturer, but the samples can't work now. We are trouble shooting the reason now. What are the common reasons you have met in a wrong PCB?

PCB Assembly
October 8, 2023

Mistakes in making of schematics: Miss out net names off-page connectors and interconnection is one of the most frequent mistakes. You should check them carefully. What’s more, if there is a wrong wire connecting and bad wire crossing over each other, your schematics still be malfunctional.

Shorting in PCB tracks, traces, pads, and obstacles: Basically, there should be no shorting between power and ground check, Then, you are required to check any stick to proper clearance and track spacing.

Power to the Components: Ensure the right polarity connection and ready IC socket connection.

Proceed with PCB Assembly section by section
No conduction via through hole: Often there is no conduction via through-hole if the plated through home is not proper. In such a case, it is advisable to solder the IC pin on both layers.

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

Can I dry screws of solar panels and still have the junction box work?

Water got into the junction box on the back of a few of my solar panels PCB. There seems to be a bit of rusty water around the screws. The diodes look dry. Can I dry those screws and still have the junction box work?

Oliver Smith October 11, 2023

Why would a PCB designer use thicker-than-normal copper for a PC board design?

When I sourcing PCB online, I found some of them are with heavy copper. Why would the designer use copper for PCB?

Oliver Smith October 27, 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