Luckily, it's possible to repair or remanufacture boards to make them like new again. This does one of two things. Either the board in question can be returned to its original device, making it function again. Or, it can be used in a completely different device, as a form of recycling if you will.
Luckily, there are many ways to help maintain your PCBs and repair them on your own. Simple problems you can fix on your own include intermittent loss of power, overheating, non-responsive components, physical damage (including corrosion), and broken circuits.
The repair cost of a circuit board depends on the nature of the damage. Generally, it ranges between $50 and $150.
Start with a Visual Inspection
Often, circuit boards deployed in the field are damaged by electrical surges and there are telltale signs on the PCB. Look for a burnt spot, particularly on the power supply module or I/O and connectivity ports. Pay attention to cracked ICs, broken traces, and blown capacitors.
Examine the circuit board and search for signs such as crushed components, bulges, damaged wires, cracks, misplaced or extra solder, burn marks and scratches that indicate that the board is either bad or requires replacement and professional assistance.
Three of the main reasons PCBs end up burning are: Extreme heat. Improper component spacing. Component failure or technician error.
The common answer here is approximately 50-70 years of use, under the right conditions in a dry environment, and a series of other recommendations that the manufacturers include in their terms of use. The main factors in PCB lifetime are the type, size, and the conditions that they are operating.
In the most basic uses, PCBs often face dust, heat, cold temperatures, and moisture, each of which can cause failures. For example, dust can clog the board, leading to overheating and weakened connections. Excess moisture can lead to oxidation, corrosion, and rust.
PCB repair can be delicate and challenging, but with the right tools and a little bit of practice, you'll be able to fix most circuit boards. Remember to take your time, be careful, and pay attention to detail.
1. Physical Damage. This is the more obvious choice when it pertains to the damage of a circuit board. In fact, the most common causes of PCB failures all stem from physical damage to a device or its internals.
Two-part conductive epoxy is a great solution for making solderless electronic connections. This type of epoxy contains conductive material so, when cured, it forms a very strong and highly conductive bond similar to a solder joint.
Intertek offers top-tier quality validation services for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and Assemblies (PCBAs). These components are vital across a wide range of products from everyday consumer electronics to critical automotive, aerospace, military and medical devices.
While not all circuit breakers can be repaired, there are options. Switchgear modernization is the process of repairing, reconditioning or replacing power circuit breakers used in switchgear, typically with little to no changes to the enclosure and busbar.
Once you have located the break apply a thin bead of super glue and hold the PCB for a minute or two to allow the glue to dry slightly, wiping away any excess from the side of the PCB that has tracks on it.
Power Component Failure. (Includes transformers, transistors, IGBT modules, rectifiers). Causes of failure: heat, over or under voltage, normal component aging. Some problems can be visible such as exploded components, or, more often, they could look perfectly good and require meter testing of each component.
Overheating due to overloading, poor ventilation, short circuits, or component failure are the primary causes of burnt circuit boards. To prevent burnt circuit boards, proper design, assembly, maintenance, and ventilation are necessary precautions.
In conclusion, while modern consumer electronics may not yield precious metals, older industrial circuit boards can still hold significant value. Properly preparing and understanding what you have can make a big difference in the value you receive.
Touching Circuit Boards with Bare Hands
Many ESD events do not cause the board to be inoperable immediately but damage junction in the electronic parts. This damage leads to future failures. These are referred to as Latent Failures.
Yes, if the circuit board are physically damaged, which fortunately can be repaired or remanufactured. PCB boards contain many kinds of electrical components. Problems are inevitable because the assembly and production process of PCB circuit boards is too complicated.