PCB Technical - Can speed up and optimize PCB troubleshooting

Due to the continuous modernization of technology trends, PCB assembly is more complex and intricate in the current era than ever before. With this, PCB troubleshooting is becoming one of the important pursuits of specific expertise, technology and R&D. Fortunately, there is no need to panic or frown, because there are some simple PCB troubleshooting methods that can help speed up the detection, verification, and testing of troublesome components and functions in a damaged printed circuit board. The following content will guide you into simple hacking, generating techniques and simple methods to optimize and speed up PCB troubleshooting.

Is there any way to speed up and optimize PCB troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a multi-layer PCB, the results are more challenging for signal analysis, size, component type, and number of layers. Some complex PCBs require special mechanized equipment for PCB troubleshooting, and in many cases, PCB rework and repairs are performed by basic electronic instruments to smoothly provide current, signal and trace mechanisms through the circuit.

Some common tools for PCB troubleshooting mainly used by PCB manufacturers include multimeters, LCR meters, logic and circuits. Power analyzers and oscilloscopes have a specific foundation for processing complexity and need to explore the root cause of the operating behavior of the affected circuit. Let's roll up our sleeves and continue reading for further reading on how to simplify the troubleshooting of defective single-layer PCBs, RF PCBs, digital/analog hybrid PCBs, rigid/flex PCBs, etc.

A simple way to track and control the identification and location of PCB damage through magnified and thorough visual inspection technology. This method helps to detect overlapping traces, overheated, cracked or damaged high-mark components and missing components on the PCB. In many cases, few scorched or swollen parts can be found immediately through magnified visual inspection technology.

Discrete component inspection is one of the centralized methods of PCB troubleshooting, which helps to test each component individually. This type of testing is done with the help of various tools. Using LCR meters or multimeters, you can test the piece-by-piece values of transistors, capacitors, resistors, inductors, LEDs and other active components. The component is well stated and has a value equal to or less than the standard component. On the other hand, if the component value is indicated as higher than the standard component value, it is detected that the solder joint is faulty or the component is indicated as bad.

Another option that allows unique comparisons between current and voltage measurements by powering each component individually is nodal analysis.

Visual inspection technology is one step ahead, and physical inspection is performed on the power applied to the circuit. This technology is used to detect hot spots and the surface of the printed circuit board and components on the circuit board without using the Thermo Graphic camera, which has proven to be quite expensive. Then the detected thermal element is cooled with the help of compressed canned air to lower the temperature to test the circuit mechanism. There is no doubt that physical inspection is one of the simple and effective ways to optimize PCB troubleshooting, but at the same time it is also considered a dangerous method that requires many preventive measures. This method is only suitable for low-voltage circuit boards. On the other hand, touching the power supply circuit and various components on the PCB will change the impedance of the circuit, which in turn changes the behavior of the system. Because of this change, finding the affected circuit that requires additional capacitance for smooth operation becomes effortless.

Another easy way to optimize PCB troubleshooting involves integrated circuit analysis. Some ICs are identified by logic analyzer or oscilloscope analysis, while many ICs are only detected by marking. In addition to complex PCB layouts, there are also more and more challenging special types of ICs in different configurations. Here, an easy way to deal with a damaged PCB is to compare the behavior of the affected circuit with the behavior of a good circuit to track abnormal behavior on the circuit.

When the PCB document or its component signature has been lost, analog signature analysis is one of the effective techniques for PCB troubleshooting, which is used to test the PCB without power supply, crashes or malfunctions.

Other speed methods up and optimize PCB troubleshooting:

function test

Use PCB troubleshooting software

Check the solder joints

Finally, some simpler hackers can effectively diagnose faults in the PCB:

By alternating voltages, it is possible to test for unknown high pin counts. You can also use the required equipment such as a multimeter to obtain all the signatures, the inductance and voltage resistance of each component, in order to calculate and compare with the defective PCB characteristics.