What is a PCB Guard Ring? A PCB guard ring is a conductive trace or layer that surrounds a specific area on a printed circuit board. It is typically connected to the ground plane or a low-impedance reference point, such as a power supply or a dedicated ground pin. The […]

Introduction to Substrate-Bonded PCBs A printed circuit board (PCB) mechanically supports and electrically connects electronic components using conductive tracks, pads and other features etched from one or more sheet layers of copper that are laminated onto and/or between sheet layers of a non-conductive substrate. Substrate-bonded PCBs take this a step […]

Introduction to Integrated Circuits (ICs) Integrated circuits, commonly known as ICs or chips, are miniaturized electronic circuits manufactured on a thin substrate of semiconductor material, typically silicon. These tiny devices have revolutionized the world of electronics since their invention in the late 1950s. As a circuit designer, understanding the fundamentals […]

Overview of the Hx711 Module The Hx711 module is a breakout board for the Avia Semiconductor Hx711 24-bit ADC for weigh scales. It allows you to easily read load cells and scale sensors to measure weight. The module interfaces with microcontrollers like Arduino and Raspberry Pi using just two wires. […]

Introduction to PCB Circuit Boards A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) is a fundamental component in modern electronics. It is a flat board made of insulating materials, such as fiberglass or plastic, with conductive pathways etched or printed onto its surface. These pathways, known as traces, connect various electronic components, such […]

What is a Cold Solder Joint? A cold solder joint is a defective solder connection that occurs when the solder fails to melt and flow properly during the soldering process. This results in a dry, cracked, or incomplete bond between the solder and the surfaces being joined. Cold solder joints […]

Introduction to Keyboard PCBs A keyboard PCB (Printed Circuit Board) is the foundation of any custom mechanical keyboard. It serves as the central nervous system, connecting all the components and enabling the keyboard to function properly. Designing and building a keyboard PCB requires a thorough understanding of various factors, including […]

What is Countersinking and Counterboring? Countersinking and counterboring are two techniques used to create recesses in a printed circuit board (PCB) to accommodate the heads of screws or other fasteners. These techniques are essential for ensuring that the fasteners sit flush with the surface of the PCB, preventing any protrusion […]

Introduction to Flex and Flex-Rigid PCBs Flexible printed circuit boards (PCBs) and flex-rigid PCBs are versatile interconnect solutions that offer many advantages over traditional rigid PCBs. Flex PCBs consist of a thin insulating polymer film laminated with conductive copper traces. This allows the PCB to bend, fold, and flex, enabling […]

What is Through-hole Assembly? Through-hole assembly, also known as through-hole technology (THT), is a method of mounting electronic components on a printed circuit board (PCB) by inserting component leads through holes drilled in the board and soldering them to pads on the opposite side. This assembly technique has been widely […]