As technology improves there is more than ever being built and it is all getting smaller. Printed circuit boards (pcb) have shrunk to the extent where it is now widely recommended in the industry to use surface mounted resistors. There are a number of advantages to this and it is worth knowing this information whether you are a keen electronics hobbyist or designing state of the art electronics tech for a multi-national concern.
Pros for Using Surface Mounted Resistors in PCB Design
- More commonly known as SMD (surface mount device) or SMT (surface mount technology) resistors, they are now universally used in electronics, automation and computing. Surface mounted resistors are changing the game, they were one of the highest sourced electronics items in 2020, so they are widely used and their use will only increase going forward. It is thus a matter of universality, yes, the vertical mounted or through hole system do work, but they just do not work as well.
- Mounting the resistors on the surface horizontally makes it incredibly easy to build a semiprofessional mockup at home, and in factory settings with many more being produced. Simply solder to the base of the pcb. It is however recommended that you start with the larger resistors if you intend to solder yourself or use a magnifying glass if you have gone for the smaller resistors. This is a slight drawback, but not one that affects the advantage of being an easy build process.
- A board with surface mount parts is easier to edit and swap out parts than one with through hole parts. If you need to add to or change the board, one with surface mounted resistors will be much easier to adapt. Designers have been known to buy the generic pcb for an application and then amend it. If the resistors are vertical and through hole, it is a much trickier proposition to edit the PCB for a company or project specific application.
- Better for vibration, so best for pcb applications that are used in motion. Although many would argue that the pcb’s of old all had the vertical set up, but as pcbs become more complicated and smaller, those used in applications where movement is constant are safer and more long lasting with surface mounted resistors as they are less likely to catch and shake loose.
- More clearance in a tight space, because the resistors lie against the board, there is more clearance, or additional space for additional pcbs in the application. With space at a premium, and electronics getting smaller all the time this is a vital advantage of the surface mounts. For example, the pcb in a pacemaker needs to be incredibly small, this can only be achieved using surface mounted technology.
The pcb market is significant with all manner of circuit boards out there, some are bound to be lower quality and cheaper products. For your business success you need to determine which one is right for you. Find the right quality with a pcb lookup using a recognized component distribution site. The PCB is generally considered the backbone of tech and applications and as such the manner in which yours are put together and whether they use Surface mounted resistors will matter. Make sure you get it right.
Whether you are a hobbyist, a serious inventor or working in industrial design. It is important to keep abreast of current trends and make sure that you are able to compete and engage with the electronics design place and marketplace.
