Differences Between PCBA and PCB
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) are important terms in the electronics industry. Some people use them interchangeably, but they are really two different things.
The main difference between these two terms is that PCB refers to a blank circuit board while PCBA refers to a board that contains all the necessary electronic components for the board to function as needed. A PCB is not yet functional because it does not have the necessary components in place, whereas a PCBA is a complete and functional board. PCBs and PCBAs are two different parts of the same process: a PCBA is built on top of an existing PCB.
What is a printed circuit board?
PCBs are the basis of modern electronic devices. They mechanically hold and electrically connect electronic components. The boards themselves are made of laminated material, such as fiberglass or epoxy composite, and contain conductive pathways that connect different parts of the board. These paths are printed or inscribed on the board according to the default PCB layout.
PCB Types
- Single Layer PCBs are the simplest type of PCB and are coated with a single layer of conductive material and a layer of solder mask. The PCB components are marked with silkscreen.
- Double-layer PCBs have a layer of conductive material on both the top and bottom of the board, giving them more flexibility and a smaller size than single-layer PCBs.
- Multilayer PCBs have more than two conductive layers and are used in more complex applications.
Used materials
The substrate material for PCBs is usually fiberglass , epoxy composite, or another laminate material. The conductive material on one or both sides of the plate is usually copper. Printed circuits, which are silvered or etched onto the substrate depending on the design, are also made of copper. Circuits are tin-lead plated to prevent oxidation. PCBs have contact fingers on their outer edges, which are also plated with tin-lead as well as other materials, such as nickel and gold, to increase conductivity.
Applications
PCBs can be used in a wide range of electronic devices. These may include consumer electronics, vehicle components, heavy machinery, robotics, and medical equipment. Here some examples:
- computers
- televisions
- printers
- calculators
- Pacemaker
- industrial controls
- Medical Imaging System
What is the definition of PCBA?
While PCB refers to a blank board, a PCBA is a complete PCB assembly that contains all the electronic components necessary for the board to function as required. Hence, the process of assembling the printed circuit board with all the essential components is referred to as PCBA.
How are PCBA and PCBC related to each other?
PCB and PCBA are the result of two different steps of the same general process. A PCB is a blank circuit board with no electronic components attached to it, while a PCBA is a complete assembly that contains all the necessary components to make the board function as needed for the intended application. A PCB is not functional yet, while a PCBA is ready to be used in an electronic device.
Manufacturing a blank board is a simpler process than producing a complete PCBA due to the various components and processes involved in PCB assembly. Also, the production of a PCBA costs more than a blank PCB. However, both steps are necessary to create a complete board. You can't create a PCBA without a PCB. PCB fabrication is the first step in the process, and PCBA fabrication builds on that first step.
