Last Updated on October 22, 2023 by Kevin Chen
To understand PCB colors, keep in mind that the coloring on the board is not the same as the original circuit color. It’s a layer on top of the FR-4 PCB’s material. The color on each board is due to the solder mask color, which protects the panel’s pure conductors.
The color of the solder mask or copper oil should contrast nicely with the top copper wires so that they may be easily spotted. The colored layer avoids short circuits in copper connections. It also acts as a barrier against everyday wear and scratches and abrasions caused by harsh weather or any other probable cause of board deterioration.
A red PCB color code is usually utilized to distinguish the circuit from other boards. The primary goal of using a red PCB color code is to identify any single component in a group assembly. But first, let’s refresh our memories of what a printed circuit board is.
What is a Printed Circuit Board
A printed circuit board(PCB), is a plate or board that includes the electrical interconnections between elements that make up an electrical circuit.
The simplest printed circuit board are those with copper tracks or interconnects on only one of their surfaces. One layer printed circuit boards, or one layer PCBs, are these boards.
The most typical PCBs manufactured nowadays include two layers, which means interconnects can be found on both sides of the board. Boards can be made with eight or more layers depending on the physical intricacy of the design (PCB layout).
Printed Circuit Board Materials
Copper, solder mask, Fiberglass or plastic substrates, , and nomenclature ink are the most common components of PCBs.
Fiberglass & Plastic Substrates
Depending on the intended PCB design, PCBs can be built on rigid or flexible base materials. Flexible circuits and stiff-flex flexible layers often use high-temperature polyimide films, while rigid PCBs typically use FR4 or polyimide fiberglass.
Liquid crystal polymer (LCP), Polyimide (PI), polyester (PET), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are all common plastic substrates for flexible circuits (PEN). The substrate aims to provide a non-conductive foundation on which conductive circuits can be built and shielded from one another. Polyimide and LCP laminates are commonly utilized in high dependability or signal speed applications. Polyester and polyethylene naphthalene laminates are typically single layers of circuitry and are preferred for their low cost.
Copper
Copper is the most commonly utilized conducting material for circuitry in PCBs due to its high electrical conductivity. All laminates discussed above have thin copper foil sheets laminated to one or both sides of the plastic. The fabricator then utilizes the designer’s Gerber files to image and etch the circuits to satisfy the customer’s specifications. The PCB’s intended application determines the thickness and number of layers required. To finish a multi-layered PCB, alternating layers of copper circuitry and insulating materials are used.
Soldermask
Soldermask is a liquid applied to the outer layers of rigid PCBs and is commonly an epoxy substance. It’s also often employed on rigid-flex PCBs’ rigid parts. Soldermask is primarily intended to protect copper circuits on outer layers from environmental oxidation. When the components are joined to the PCB, Soldermask is also designed to control and retain solder flow.
The liquid solder could leak out onto the PCB’s surface without a solder mask, connecting two nearby circuits and shorting out the board. Solder masks come in a variety of hues, including blue, black, red, amber, transparent, white, and many others.
Nomenclature
After the solder mask layers are done, the solder mask is printed with identifying information, marks, and bar codes. Nomenclature is the term for these marks, and it will be defined by files supplied with the other Gerber layers. They’re printed on the solder mask to help with PCB assembly accuracy.
Types Of Printed Circuit Boards
Although all PCBs have the same basic goal, they come in various designs and combinations to satisfy the needs of different applications. Among the several varieties available on the market are:
Rigid PCBs
Hard PCBs are made from rigid fiberglass substrates and are therefore practical and affordable, although inflexible. They are less adaptable and difficult to fit into unique geometries or small places, they are, nevertheless, less expensive and easier to make than their more flexible counterparts.
Flexible PCBs
Flexible PCBs have good bending and folding characteristics, allowing them to fit into tight and irregularly shaped places. Because of this, they are highly adaptable and can be utilized to package tiny electronic equipment. Furthermore, because they are very flexible, the product does not need to be designed to work around the PCB’s limitations. They can provide stronger heat resistance than rigid PCBs.
Rigid-Flex PCBs
Hard-flex PCBs combine the best features of rigid and flexible circuit boards. Unlike some of the other two types of circuit boards, these PCBs have all of the electronic interconnections built right onto the board, reducing the board’s weight and total size.. When ultra-light packaging is a must, they are a fantastic choice. They’re also more robust and dependable, with excellent strength and flexibility.
What is RED PCB
The PCB color determines the soldering fluid or solder mask color. It’s made of lacquer color to preserve the exposed copper traces. The PCB’s final color is created by combining – epoxy, similar to the solder mask. One of the primary functions of the solder mask is to prevent short circuits.
The red PCB solder mask is frequently associated with bravery and competence. The contrast between planes, voids, and traces is highly significant.
Unlike the green PCB, the contrast is diminished. In the event of a fault, any amplification is utilized to verify the board’s traces. It’s worth noting that the silkscreen is notorious for leaving leftover fluxes against the red backdrop. Green is still the best, even though crimson appears to be excellent, beautiful, and strong.
Advantages of Red PCB
Red PCBs allow you to link all of these elements and use copper routes rather than wires to operate comparatively small modules and save wires.
Easy to repair
If your Red PCB fails to function correctly, the boards can be fixed. Because all capacitances are designated with a silkscreen on the panel, the elements are easily tested and repaired. It makes not only the structure but also the consensus model more comfortable.
Time Saver
Creating circuit boards the traditional way takes a long time. However, the red PCB is easier to use than the printed circuit board approach, but it is also far more beneficial.
Fixed components
All of the modules are attached to the board and securely fastened during the building of the electronic components. Solder flux completes the process by preventing migration from dislocating the pieces.
Lesser chances
Copper and metal conductivity rails are used to connect everything. There is a lower risk of losing connections, which could cause the board to short-circuit.
Electronic noise reduction
The crimson PCBs are so well-made that electronic noise is barely discernible. In the presence of energy or radioactivity, any disturbance is expelled. A correctly built PCB produces noise. This is because the elements are organized so that the distance sizes are incredibly close to zero, resulting in low radioactivity and EM ripples.
Lower price
While most PCBs are created using computers, the template idea design can be stored and used repeatedly. As a result, ordering many lots of strikingly similar red PCBs at the same time will save you time and money.
Other Colors of PCBs
We will learn about the numerous color options available for the Circuit board before examining the red PCB. The green overlay is the most common color of PCB. However, as significant innovation and technological advancements occur, the color of PCBs is changing. Most assemblies have recently encouraged using alternative colors rather than green PCBs. Some of the reasons for avoiding green-colored PCBs are as follows:
- The use of distinct PCB colors indicates iteration modifications to consumers.
- Colors other than green will be used to achieve brightness or decrease. Because of transmission, absorption, and light reflection, you must understand the importance of assembly material.
- In a combined assembly, distinct colors help avoid various types of errors. Identifying result meetings also benefits the choosing of color types in comparison.
Yellow, red PCB, black, white, blue, and other colors build PCBs. PCB colors are frequently used as PCB color codes. Some modern PCB types have adopted specific colors. For example, the PC boards are still constructed of green epoxy.
The colors of the solder masks do not affect the PCB’s functionality. If different PCB colors are used, the proven approach will be altered. Blue and red hues like yellow and black, on the other hand, have a little lesser resolution than green PCB density. It should be noted that solder masks are highly dedicated to providing excellent visibility.
Colors of the solder Mask
Various solder mask colors have been demonstrated. Chromium and carbon combine to create a dark solder mask. The presence of carbon makes this type of solder mask possible. Leading layers are formed using PCB traces and can be used to shield signals from various external sounds.
The black solder mask, made of a cobalt alloy, is extremely expensive. Simple PCB color codes are found on most Optoelectronic devices. LCDs frequently use a blue solder mask. It is used to keep the system from breaking down.
A red PCB color code is usually employed to differentiate the circuit from other panels. The primary goal of using a red PCB color code is to identify any particular component in a lot assembly. Oscilloscopes, analog resources, and voltmeter benches are examples of precision equipment that uses a red solder mask.
Several sources claim that green is the most prevalent color for printed circuit boards. This is because the green color performs better than other PCB colors. When linking the element pitch, green produces better results. Green is often thought to be the standard color for printed circuit boards.
Types of Colors in PCB
When it comes to selecting printed boards, several factors to consider. One of them is to choose the color of the PCB solder mask. Although green is the most common color, other colors such as yellow, red, black, and white are also available at no extra cost. Because the PCB solder mask comes in various colors, the problem is deciding which one to utilize. Is there any benefit or drawback to selecting a color other than green?
The following simple procedures will assist you in selecting a color other than the standard green hue of the solder mask:
Blue PCB
The solder mask on the PCB is the same blue as on the Arduino. Compared to yellow and white printed circuit boards, the contrast between unoccupied spaces, surfaces, and traces is minor. Magnification is considered vital and required to assess production faults in the hue of the blue solder mask.
However, the difference between the solder mask and the silkscreen is quite noticeable using the blue hue. So, if you’re using a thick label board, blue might be the best option in this case.
White PCB
If you think a black solder mask is the most difficult to handle, wait till you see white. A white solder mask was discovered to be unacceptable. Even worse is the contrast between white PCB and black. Even turning it on will not help the appearance of its traces while being examined. Because recommendations are difficult to see, cleaning the white PCB is quite challenging.
On the other hand, white solder masks have the same silkscreen intensity as black solder masks, indicating that they work correctly. The white solder mask is not recommended due to other properties.
Black Circuit Board
Black Circuit Board can be termed as the top most complex integrated circuit board ever to be made. The blackboards make it practically impossible to distinguish between lines,empty areas, and traces. To verify the board, you must tilt it over a light beam.
On the other hand, if they operate with a unique silkscreen, the electrodes are incredibly well defined. It makes it easy to identify places while also ensuring that they are appropriately identified.
Apple is known for its iPhones and MacBook boards for using black PCBs.
Yellow PCB
The yellow circuits are lovely, and it’s still a mystery why most manufacturers don’t choose their solder mask color. Yellow contrasts more sharply between empty spaces, trails, and planes. It is, in fact, comparable to the green color mask in terms of ease of use.
Purple circuit board
The purple hue is not a common or usual color on a PCB. Depending on your fabricator, you may be charged a fee for this color option. The contrast is striking with the purple PCB, and overall workability is improved.
Final Thoughts
We are confident that you now understand why integrated circuits come in various hues, with green being the most common. We also believe we’ve addressed all of your concerns about the different PCB colors.
Lastly, for more details on Red PCBs, contact us at ICRFQ. We are well known as the best electrical component manufacturers in China.
If you want to find more Electronic Components Distributors, please check out the following articles:
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