What Are Printed Circuit Boards?
What are printed circuit boards?..Find out here… A printed circuit board or PCB is a core component of nearly all electronic devices.
Everything except the simplest of electronics uses a board of some kind to connect and mechanically sync all elements of the product. A coffee maker, for instance, might have a small PCB inside to connect the electronic control system, heater element and display.
PCBs are mechanically necessary to support and connect all components within the device, which are synced using conductive tracks—this allows electricity to flow freely through the board and from component to component.
PCB components are soldered to the board, which electrically and mechanically fastens them to the overall circuit. Those “components” include things like the battery, resistors, LEDs, transistors, capacitors and more.
Boards are often produced in layers, which include various levels of conductive and non-conductive sheets. They can be one-sided with a single copper layer, two-sided with a double copper layer on both sides of a substrate layer, or multi-layer with differing layers of copper and substrate. It is worth mentioning that multi-layer boards provide a variety of benefits like an increased component density, however they are much harder to analyse, repair and modify.
It’s important to understand that circuit board repair parts and practices often consist of the same materials and components used to build the hardware in the first place. There are very few substitutes or alternatives, especially when talking about reliable and conductive materials. This highlights the need to find a proper, professional repair team like Greasley Electronics with the right assets and connections.
Are they worth repairing?
Yes they are!
Greasley Electronics have recently saved a company thousands with Andover Controller Repairs. Certain businesses need air conditioning units in full working order especially medical companies/hospitals. As any printed circuit board they need to be refurbished every 5 to 8 years and it will last a lifetime and ensure they keep going efficiently and effectively on an ongoing basis. Air Conditioning PCB repair is a speciality here at Greasley Electronics. We can save companies thousands, thus not eating into profits with buying new unit. When people ‘google’ – ‘circuit board repair near me’ we hope that Greasley Electronics comes up in their search wherever they are in the UK especially in the Midlands!
For physical or visible damage to a board, base board repair is necessary. This may include melting down similar materials to reshape or modify the board, or can sometimes even call for complete disassembly.
For conductor and component repair, knowledge and skill of soldering, desoldering, rework and pinpoint accuracy may all be necessary. If you’ve ever worked with or held a soldering iron before, it’s not so easy to retain a steady hand and spread the material evenly. You will want extensive experience with a soldering and desoldering iron, just to be sure the components and parts are seated properly to the board.
Contact Greasley Electronics to discuss whether or not a PCB is worth repairing! Feel free to call us and speak to John or Stuart in the first instance.
How much does it cost to repair a Circuit Board?
This really depends on the type of fault and what is needed for the repair. Prices vary dependant upon how complex the circuit board is and how much needs refurbishing. Typically, a tenth of the price of a replacement unit. The best advice that John, Managing Director at Greasley Electronics can give with all of his years working in electronics is – ‘Send an image in to us on email with an indication of why a device isn’t working and we can advise accordingly!’ It’s as easy as that!
Send an image to Greasley Electronics here.