As a new PCB designer, you may encounter many specialized terms related to printed circuit boards, which can often be confusing. Engineering courses typically focus more on system design and semiconductors rather than PCB design, so they offer limited guidance in this area. However, the printed circuit board (PCB) is the crucial link between design and manufacturing — and understanding its terminology is essential to ensure communication, accuracy, and manufacturability.
At PCBasic, we believe that understanding the fundamentals of PCB terminology helps engineers design boards that are not only functional but also optimized for manufacturability, cost efficiency, and long-term reliability.
To help new designers quickly get familiar with PCB concepts, we’ve compiled a comprehensive glossary from three main perspectives:
• PCB Physical Structure Terminology
• PCB Design Terminology
• PCB Manufacturing Terminology
1. PCB Physical Structure Terminology
Some key printed circuit board terms are commonly used to describe the physical composition of PCBs. Understanding these will help you better communicate with manufacturers like PCBasic, especially when preparing fabrication and assembly files.
• Layers:
A PCB is composed of multiple laminated layers, each containing etched copper traces that form electrical connections. PCBasic supports up to 48-layer high-density multilayer boards, ideal for high-speed and high-reliability applications.
• Copper Pour:
Areas filled with copper to enhance current capacity or provide grounding. PCBasic’s advanced CAM system ensures uniform copper distribution to prevent warpage.
• Traces and Transmission Lines:
Conductive paths that carry electrical signals. In high-speed designs, these must be carefully impedance-controlled — something PCBasic verifies using 3D simulation and controlled impedance manufacturing.
• Signal Layer vs. Plane Layer:
Signal layers carry data and power traces, while plane layers distribute power or ground using continuous copper planes.
• Vias:
Holes that interconnect PCB layers — including through-hole, blind, and buried vias. PCBasic’s drilling and laser via technology ensures precision and stable interlayer connection.
• Components:
All electronic parts soldered on the PCB, whether surface-mounted (SMD) or through-hole (THT). PCBasic offers one-stop turnkey assembly, from material sourcing to soldering and testing.
• Pads and Holes:
Conductive areas for mounting and soldering components.
• Silkscreen:
Printed layer that includes component markings, logos, and guidance text. PCBasic supports white, black, and yellow silkscreen printing with high-resolution inkjet systems.
• References and Designators:
Component identifiers (e.g., R1, C5, U3) that help during assembly and inspection.
• Soldermask:
Protective coating (usually green) that prevents oxidation and short circuits. PCBasic offers green, blue, black, white, and matte options, using imported Taiyo soldermask inks.
2. PCB Design Terminology
Different ECAD applications may use slightly different names, but the following terms are universally common — and directly affect how PCBasic manufactures your design.
• Schematics:
The blueprint showing how electronic components are connected.
• PCB Layout:
The actual physical arrangement of copper traces and components. PCBasic engineers can review your Gerber and layout files to ensure manufacturability.
• Nets:
Electrical connections linking component pins. PCBasic verifies all nets through automated DRC and netlist comparison before fabrication.
• Schematic Symbol / CAE Symbol:
A simplified representation of a component in schematic design.
• PCB Footprint / CAD Symbol:
The land pattern showing pad and hole positions for soldering components.
• STEP File:
A 3D model format that allows mechanical fitting verification. PCBasic supports STEP file integration for 3D preview and assembly accuracy.
• Libraries:
Repositories containing component data (symbols, footprints, and 3D models).
• SPICE:
Simulation software used to predict electrical performance.
• Annular Ring:
The copper area surrounding a plated hole. PCBasic controls annular ring tolerance within ±3 mils for stability.
• Clearance:
Minimum spacing between traces or pads to prevent short circuits. PCBasic can produce up to 3 mil/3 mil (0.075 mm) trace/space designs.
• Fanout:
Short trace connections used to break out BGA pins.
• Aspect Ratio:
Ratio of board thickness to via diameter — PCBasic keeps it within 10:1 to ensure high-quality copper plating.
• DRC (Design Rule Check):
Automatic verification of layout compliance before production.
• Gold Fingers:
Gold-plated edge connectors for insertion interfaces. PCBasic offers hard gold plating with precise edge chamfering.
3. PCB Manufacturing Terminology
Finally, some essential manufacturing-related terms — these are crucial for communicating with your production partner.
• PCB Fabrication:
The process of producing the bare board. At PCBasic, this includes lamination, drilling, copper plating, imaging, etching, soldermask, silkscreen, and surface finishing.
• PCB Assembly (PCBA):
The process of placing and soldering components onto the board. PCBasic’s 9 fully automated SMT lines use 3D SPI, AOI, and X-ray inspection for defect-free results.
• FR-4:
A glass-reinforced epoxy laminate widely used in PCB manufacturing. PCBasic also supports high-frequency materials like Rogers, Taconic, and PTFE.
• Gerber Files / ODB++:
Standard data formats used to define the copper layers, drill, and soldermask of a PCB. PCBasic accepts both formats for flexible manufacturing.
• Netlist:
Defines all electrical connections on the board, used for electrical testing.
• Pick-and-Place:
Robotic equipment that automatically positions SMD components. PCBasic uses Yamaha and Panasonic pick-and-place machines with ±0.03 mm accuracy.
• Soldering:
Methods to fix components: reflow soldering, selective wave soldering, or manual soldering. PCBasic’s nitrogen reflow ovens ensure oxidation-free joints.
• Tented Via:
A via covered by soldermask to prevent solder leakage.
• Blind Via:
A via connecting outer and inner layers without penetrating the full board.
• Buried Via:
A via connecting only internal layers.
• PTH (Plated Through Hole):
A hole with electroplated walls used for electrical connection or through-hole mounting.
• NPTH (Non-Plated Through Hole):
A hole without copper plating — typically for mechanical fixing or alignment.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a new designer or an experienced engineer, understanding these PCB terminologies will significantly improve your collaboration with your manufacturer.
At PCBasic, we go beyond fabrication — we provide engineering support, DFM feedback, and quality control throughout the entire PCB and PCBA production process.
From prototype to mass production, our goal is to make your design smarter, faster, and more reliable.
Why Choose PCBasic
• 9 fully automated SMT lines with 3D AOI, SPI, and X-ray
• MES + ERP + CRM + IoT integrated smart factory
• ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 / IATF 16949 / UL certified
Prototype, small batch, and mass production support
• 24-hour quick-turn service with 100% quality inspection
Learn more: www.pcbasic.com
