diagram of a circuit board - Circuit Diagram

Have you ever taken something apart and wondered, “what is going on inside here?” This is often the case with electronic gadgets, like computers or phones. It can be a daunting task to figure out how they work and what each component is responsible for. But understanding the basics of a circuit board can help make the process easier.

A circuit board is made up of numerous components that allow an electrical current to “flow” from one point to another. The board itself is comprised of an interconnected layout of “tracks” topped with a layer of plastic or metal known as the “solder mask”. These tracks provide the pathways for electricity to travel, and the components plugged into them act as nodes along the way. These components are typically simple switches, resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits (ICs).

To illustrate how it all fits together, let's look at a diagram of a circuit board. Here, you'll see a rectangular-shaped board broken up into sections connected by tracks. At the corners and throughout, you'll find pads which are where components are added. Along the tracks, there are a variety of elements such as transistors, coils, and even transparent windows used to observe what's happening inside. By studying these diagrams, you can get an idea of how the board works and how its various components interact.

As powerful as they are, circuit boards are surprisingly simple in design. They are the backbone of modern devices and with just a little knowledge, you can piece together your own electronic creations. So if you ever come across one of these diagrams and want to learn more, don’t be intimidated - there’s a lot you can understand about the inner workings of a circuit board.

Guide To Pcb Design From Schematic Board Layout Technical Articles