circuit boards comprise a sort of circulatory system inside electronic gadgets. Because of this crucial role, the book "printed circuit boards: Design, Fabrication, Assembly and Testing" asserts that circuit boards will likely continue to be the icon of the electronics industry well past 2011. Understanding circuit board components, then, means staying at the forefront of the electronics age.
The Base
Circuit boards known as printed circuit boards (PCBs) constitute the most-used boards in the industry. These boards have two primary components: the base and the conductors. The base is a thin board of insulating material, such as fiberglass, that supports all of its minor components and conductors. The term "printed" refers to applying a conductive layer on the base, usually of copper, which connects all the minor components to make a complete electrical circuit.
Conductors
The base's copper conductors are formed by applying a sheet of thin copper on one or both sides of the base; subsequently, etch-resistant tape is applied to the board according to the circuit's design, making the circuit pathway between components. After the board is left in etch and all unwanted copper is dissolved, the etch-resistant tape is removed. The board is then ready for minor component installation.
Minor Components
Among the minor components there are passive and active types, reflecting whether they contribute to a circuit's amplification or perform a control function. Examples of passive components include resistors, capacitors and inductors; these do not contribute to amplification or control. In contrast, active components can control voltages and currents or act as switches. Examples of these include diodes, transistors and integrated circuits which are attached to the base by either through-hole or surface-mount technology.
Component Connection
Attaching the minor components to the conductor and base involves soldering. In the case of through-hole technology, holes are drilled at points along the copper path through which component leads are put. These metal leads are then soldered to the copper, thus fastening it to the base and creating a conductive path. In surface-mount technology, no holes are drilled; mounts already exist on the base's surface to which the component's leads are attached and fastened by soldering.
