A printed circuit board – or PCB for short – is a form of electronic assembly that uses copper conductors to provide an electrical connection between components.
PCB design allows you to build your own electronics projects at home, which makes for an exciting hobby for DIY enthusiasts to sink their teeth into.
However, if you’re new to printed circuit boards, then there’s a lot to learn before you start any of your own projects. This is because there are several types of PCB and they’re all used for various reasons. Within our guide below, we’ll explore the most common types of printed circuit boards and some exciting things you can build with yours.
So, whether you’re a PCB novice or it’s been a while since you last interacted with one and you want a recap, we can help. Read on to learn more about this fascinating piece of hardware.
What are the different types of PCBs?
There are plenty of PCB types and most of them are widely used in the UK. Sales for all of them amounted to almost £100 million last year and here are some of the most common printed circuit boards you’ll find in the UK:
- Single-sided – this type of PCB has components on just one side of the board and is used for more simple applications.
- Double-sided – this is a more flexible option with components on either side of the board, allowing signals to pass through to one another.
- Multi-layer – a multi-layer PCB has at least two layers and at least three layers of conductive material.
- Rigid – one of the most traditional forms of PCB, a rigid option is solid and isn’t flexible. They can be either single, double or multi-layered and once manufactured, they can no longer be modified.
- Flex – utilising flexible material, this printed circuit board can be shaped in whatever way you desire for your application.
What are some of the projects you can do using a PCB?
There are plenty of exciting projects for beginners to try. All you’ll need is your circuit board and PCB software for programming your electronics projects to bring them to life. With that being said, here are some ideas for your next design using a printed circuit board.
- Battery voltage monitor – this can be used to signify when your laptop, phone or just about any other charger’s voltage dips or rises.
- Intruder alarm – detects the presence of another person while you’re not home, which lets off a noise to warn them away. Electronic eye – this works in a similar way as a ring doorbell as you can monitor who passes the front of your house as an extra security measure.
