High Voltage PCB Design Tips
Once you choose your PCBs materials, your manufacturer should follow design principles that increase its suitability for high voltage DC bias, such as:
Creating a smooth surface finish to minimize the chance of arcs
Following safety standards for spacing
Reducing burrs on board edges after routing
Avoiding sharp corners in the traces and pads' layout
Clearance vs. Creepage in PCBs
PCBs have tight spacing requirements measured in creepage and clearance. In high voltage environments, an arc can easily form between two of the PCB's conductive elements. Correctly spacing components reduces the risk of an arc occurs. Clearance and creepage determine this spacing. Clearance refers to the distance through the air between two conductors. If two conductive elements don't have sufficient clearance, an over-voltage event can cause an arc between them. Creepage also represents the distance between two conductors, but on the surface of the material instead of through the air. Proper creepage ensures the board's components don't become too crowded.
High Voltage Applications
More industries than you may think to require PCBs that withstand high voltage. Conditions such as low air pressure cause voltages to arc at an increased rate, so some applications that don't immediately use a high current still need a PCB with a good design. Customers need these PCBs for applications involving:
Spacecraft and other space equipment
High-altitude aircraft
High-tech lasers
Power supplies for particle colliders
PCBs that function in high-voltage applications powers the most innovative technologies available today. Engineers, scientists, and researchers use this technology to advance our understanding of the way the world works and to develop even more advanced technology. When you create a product featuring a high voltage PCB, you contribute to cutting-edge STEM fields.
More Information About PCBs
To learn more about the materials used to create PCBs, pls contact us online at sales@makerfabs.com. Our team members understand the processes behind PCB&PCBA production and supply and can direct you to the product or service you need for your project.
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