PCBs – 10 Application Areas You Must Know

Printed circuit boards, also known as PCBs, make up some of the critical components of electronic devices. A majority of people use them daily without even thinking about them, and they are vital to a wide variety of industries. PCBs have got a wide number of applications, but here, we will highlight 10 of the most common printed circuit boards' uses.

1、What is a Printed Circuit Board?

Before covering the use of printed circuit boards, it would be essential to understand what a PCB is. Printed circuit boards (PCBs) are boards that play the role of connecting electronic components or appliances. They play a vital part in nearly all electronic devices that individuals use daily.

PCBs are manufactured using non-conductive materials. Moreover, consist of pads, lines, and other features etched from copper sheets to connect the entire electronic components found within a product electronically.

Unlike before, where PCBs' use wasn’t widespread, such is not the case as of today. Today, the use of printed circuit boards in electronic devices is extensive, and there are several types of PCBs. Some are single-sided, while others are double-sided or even multilayered. PCBs can be flexible, rigid, or contain both flexible and rigid parts.

But what are the most common uses of PCBs? Since there are plenty of sectors that use PCBs, chances of finding them almost everywhere, from huge pieces of machinery to small consumer devices, are high. Here is a list of 10 most common applications of printed circuit boards by industry.

2、 LEDs

Also known as light-emitting diodes, LEDs are becoming an accessible lighting technology used for commercial and residential commercial lighting. Their usage is common across several industries such as the automotive field, computer, and medical sectors. LEDs are an excellent choice for being energy efficient, longer life, and compact.

A significant role that PCBs play in LED applications is by transferring heat away from the bulb. PCBs are used for LEDs compose of aluminum that is known for transferring heat, unlike other metals. LED PCBs are prevalent in storefront lighting, residential lighting, medical lighting, computer, and automotive displays.

3、Consumer Electronics

Computers, smartphones, and plenty of other consumer products daily need PCBs to function correctly. As electronics get added to products that people use, PCBs also become a more significant part of people’s lives. A wide range of consumer products that rely on PCBs to function include computers, home appliances such as coffee makers and microwaves, and communication devices such as tablets and smart-watches.

Scrutinized, the use of PCBs in consumer products shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon, with statistics indicating that many people are owners of electronic devices.

4、Medical Appliances

The healthcare sector uses PCBs with advancing technologies that continue to reveal new capabilities. Printed circuit boards play an active role in devices across the medical field. For instance, equipment used for monitoring, diagnostics, treatment, and more rely on PCBs. PCBs are used in medical devices such as medical imaging systems, monitors, and infusion pumps, to mention but a few.

The medical sector is said to be continually finding a lot of uses for electronic devices. As technology continues to improve, smaller, reliable, and denser boards are becoming a possibility. Today, PCBs play an increasingly vital role across the healthcare sector.

5、Industrial Appliances

The printed circuit board uses across the industrial field vary widely. Electronic appliances power a huge part of equipment in distribution and manufacturing centers. Printed circuit boards used across the industrial sector need to be resistant to extreme temperatures, vibrations, and rough handling. To meet this need, PCBs used here are manufactured using durable metal or some thermal-resistant materials.

Apt examples of industrial applications for printed circuit boards include measuring equipment that measures and control temperature and pressure. Others include power equipment such as DC-to-AC power inverters and manufacturing equipment used in the manufacturing process. With robotics, industrial Internet of Things, and other technologies becoming more common, new uses for printed circuit boards are arising across the industrial sector.

6、Automotive Components

Manufacturers of automotive components use a considerable number of electronic devices in their cars. In earlier times, printed circuit boards were standard in things such as headlight switches and windshield wipers. But looking at the current trends, they enable a majority of advanced features to make driving more comfortable and safer.

Today, you can find PCBs in automotive components such as sensors, control systems, navigation, and entertainment systems. Most systems that control some of the basic functions of a vehicle rely on electronic components powered by the PCB.

7、Military and Defense Appliances

The military used printed circuit boards for a wide range of applications such as computers, communications equipment, firearms, vehicles, and more. PCBs meant for military use have to be durable and exceptionally reliable as they play a vital role in national security. A majority of military equipment relies on PCBs, with most of them finding benefits from their use.

Examples of PCBs' defense and military uses include communications equipment such as a radio communication system and control systems. PCBs are also used in instrumentation that enables indicators to monitor threats or operate the equipment.

8、Telecommunications Appliances

Printed circuit boards are very critical in the telecommunications sector. They are vital for consumer appliances such as tablets and smartphones since they are the infrastructure that enables such devices to function as desired. The telecom industry uses a wide variety of printed circuit boards since plenty of equipment relies on them for functionality.

Some examples of telecom equipment that rely on PCBs include telecom towers, office communication equipment, LED displays, and indicators. The telecommunications industry is developing almost every day, and the printed circuit boards used in this sector are constantly evolving. As the generation and transfer of more data become common across this sector, so are PCBs needed here.

9、Safety and Security Appliances

A majority of security systems meant for home or business use heavily rely on printed circuit boards. They play a significant role in people’s safety and security more often than individuals may realize. The ideal type of printed circuit board depends on its application, but those meant for safety and security appliances need to be reliable at all times. Some security appliances are intended for outdoor use and require printed circuit boards to withstand the harsh outdoor environment.

Some safety and security appliances that use printed circuit boards include electronic door locks, smoke detectors, and security cameras. All of these and many more rely on printed circuit boards for functionality. PCBs continue to play an essential role in a wide variety of security and safety equipment, especially with such products continuing to gain popularity in many places worldwide.

10、Maritime Applications

Close to all marine vessels and systems depend on printed circuit boards to function as desired. This includes enormous cargo ships, small vessels, communications systems, submarines, and navigation equipment. However, PCBs meant for maritime use have to be able to withstand harsh conditions.

Manufacturers of PCBs meant for maritime use heavily emphasize reliability since such is vital for crew safety and other passengers on board. Some examples of maritime applications where PCBs are plenty of use include navigation systems such as radar systems, communications systems, and control systems. Without printed circuit boards, it would be hard for boats and vessels used here to maneuver appropriately. Maritime applications and other ships require PCBs for practical functionality, and lately, demand for PCBs seems to be high in this sector.

11、Aerospace Components

Electronics used in plenty by aerospace devices have got similar requirements to those used across the automotive sector. However, those meant for aerospace components were mainly exposed to harsh or severe conditions. Across the aerospace sector, printed circuit boards are common in various aerospace equipment such as planes, satellites, space shuttles, and radio communications systems.

Some apt examples of PCB use in the aerospace sector include power supplies, communication equipment, and monitoring equipment. PCBs play a vital role in equipment that powers control towers, aircraft, satellites, and other crucial systems across this sector. All these critical systems would not function as desired if they lacked printed circuit boards.

12、Conclusion

The above make up 10 of the most common applications for printed circuit boards. Amazingly, we at OurPCB take our time to ensure that we meet our customer's requirements and specifications for the application of their PCB. But that is not all since there are plenty of other applications that rely on PCBs to function as desired. Any sector that relies on electronic components requires PCBs. PCBs, connect electronic components and aids in the functionality of an electronic device. This is the reason why plenty of sectors, from medicine to the military, rely on them. There seems to be no end in sight regarding the use of PCBs, with their demand expected to increase exponentially in the future. Contact OurPCB today and let us know your desired application!