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What Are the Best Tips for Printed Circuit Board Testing?

Alex Newth
Alex Newth

Printed circuit board testing is an important step when trying to fix a broken circuit board or trying to figure out why a computer is malfunctioning. By looking for black sections in the circuit board, the tester can easily narrow down sections that most likely are not working. If it is difficult to find the wire for printed circuit board testing, then the trace can be gently scraped into. While the wire itself might be bad, it may be a good idea to check all the associated components to see if they are causing the power not to flow correctly. When someone is using a meter to check the wire, the resistance should be at the lowest setting.

When a wire in a circuit board goes bad, it may look normal or it might be black and corroded from constant use. To make it easier to find bad wires, the person performing the printed circuit board testing should check for areas that look as if they've been burned. These areas will almost definitely need to be repaired, and they can lead the tester to other improperly working parts or wires.

Printed circuit board testing is an important step when trying to fix a broken circuit board or trying to figure out why a computer is malfunctioning.
Printed circuit board testing is an important step when trying to fix a broken circuit board or trying to figure out why a computer is malfunctioning.

Testing a connection normally means the tester has to place the meter on an end trace; this is the safest method in terms of ensuring the circuit board’s quality. If the tracing on the circuit board is severely worn, then it may be very difficult to find the end traces, but there still is a way to test the wires. The tester can take a knife and carefully scrape into the trace line until he digs into the wire. This should only be deep enough so the meter can test the wire, because going any deeper may cause severe problems.

If a wire is showing no power during printed circuit board testing, then this could be the fault of the wire or a result of something else. The tester should check all devices to which the wire connects. Broken parts may lead to a lack of power flowing through the wire, meaning the tester has to replace the parts and not the wire.

The meter used for printed circuit board testing should be set to the lowest setting or the test may be inaccurate. When set at the lowest resistance, it makes it easier for the meter to check for any power, not power at a certain limit. If the resistance is set any higher, then it may show that a good wire cannot conduct, which may lead to superfluous repairs.

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    • Printed circuit board testing is an important step when trying to fix a broken circuit board or trying to figure out why a computer is malfunctioning.
      By: Artwell
      Printed circuit board testing is an important step when trying to fix a broken circuit board or trying to figure out why a computer is malfunctioning.