BARE BOARD PCB TEST QUESTION

3) the spacing between tested pads 4) other "points of interest" that you want to examine etc.

Do you *want* this level of testing? IME, a "simple" visual inspection is enough for most boards. You can put a "postage stamp" test area on one edge of the board that allows for the vendor to (destructively) examine things like interlayer registration, hole plating thickness, etc. But, even that isn't usually required.

(you havent mentioned the market you are addressing and how critical the board quality is -- are you designing boards that are being used on interplanetary probes?)

They only "require" as many test points as *you* are willing to pay for. Note option 2 can be more susceptible to faults (depending on track size, pad size, etc.) if the tracks are small relative to the pad size.

You also have to think about how your board will eventually be serviced. I.e., how likely are you to find pads lifted, etc.

Ask yourself (or your client) what level of testing you

*really* need -- and are willing to pay for. And, ask your vendor what they will *guarantee* in each different testing scenario.

Hi

The market is home alarm systems. My boards are ordinary 2-layer PCB, nothing special, volumes 10000/ year.

PCB makers charge a non recurring fee for bare PCB tests. Typical costs range from 500 USD to 1500, that depends on the dimensions of the SMD and TH pads that are present on board (fine pitches cost more)

My questions are simple, I guess :-)

1) Do PCB makers test the end points of an electrical net, or they just test any SMD pad that is attached to the net? 2) Does "Routing option 2" require 2 nails? 3) Does "Routing option 1" require 5 nails?

Enrico

Why don't You ask them?

Rene

I gather there is a "flying probe" test method that is also used, presumably for lower volumes.

I usually just tick the "e-test" box on the quote form; they charge an extra ~0.50 per board plus an extra ~$100 "e-test setup".

--

John Devereux

They charge a non-recurring fee to design the test fixture. They typically then charge a setup charge (for each run of boards that you make *needing* that fixture) and a *per board* cost to cover the added testing.

Are you sure you need to burden your product with these extra costs? Do you really expect to find any/many problems that you *wouldn't* solve by REPLACING YOUR VENDOR??

Hi guys,

For medium to high volume PCB productions is mandatory have the vendor to test EACH pcb after production.

Less or more, those are the costs.

I talked to my vendor and he explained me how the things are. I learned a couple of very interesting things about bare board tests. I'm writing a PDF document and by the end of the week I will put it somewhere on line.

Enrico