Table of Contents
Steps to Fix and Troubleshoot PCBs Step #1. Clean the PCB. Step #2. Take off the Damaged Pad. Step #3. Clear Away Laminate Around the Pad. Step #4. Remove Old Solder Mask. Step #5. Clean With Alcohol. Step #6. Prepare the Conductor. Step #7. Examine and Choose the Appropriate Circuit Frame. Step #8.
How can you tell if a circuit board is bad?
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.
How do you troubleshoot a circuit board with a multimeter?
To test circuit board properly, touch the multimeter probes to the test points present on the board. Make sure while playing out this step you have your hands on the plastic portion of the probes. You can then go on to check either the voltage or resistance.
How do you troubleshoot a circuit?
Do You Recognize the 8 Techniques to Troubleshoot Your Electronics Circuit? Confirm the Problem in the Circuit. Consider Visual Inspection First. Select Troubleshooting Tools. Power up the Circuit. Check the Power Supply Block. Check the Individual Components. Check the Main Controller. Check the Loads by Metered Power Supply.
How do you inspect a circuit board?
The simplest form of PCB inspection is manual visual inspection (MVI). To perform this type of test, a worker looks over the board either with the naked eye or through magnification. They’ll compare the board to the design documents to ensure that all specifications were met. They’ll also look for common defaults.
What causes circuit boards to fail?
Environmental Factors: Exposure to heat, dust and moisture, accidental impact (drops and falls), and power overloads/surges can be causes of circuit board failure. However, the most damaging cause of premature circuit board failure is electrostatic discharge (ESD) at the assembly stage.
How do you tell positive and negative on a circuit board?
You can try to find the longer leg, which should indicate the positive, anode pin. Or, if someone’s trimmed the legs, try finding the flat edge on the LED’s outer casing. The pin nearest the flat edge will be the negative, cathode pin.
Can you fix a circuit board?
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.
How do I test my motherboard with a multimeter?
Unplug the computer from AC power and allow several minutes for any excess charge to drain. Set the multimeter to the lowest Ohm setting (around 200) and touch the leads of the probes together to zero the meter. Touch the two leads to the bare metal of the computer’s chassis; the zero reading should be the same.
How do you debug a circuit board?
PCB Test the PCB, or a minimum the problem area, with an ohmmeter. Check the circuit drawing and verify that the PCB trace/via connections are correct. Use a yellow marker on the circuit drawing and identify each correct connection (this will help eliminate confusion).
What are the six steps in the troubleshooting process?
CompTIA 6-Step Troubleshooting Process: Identify the problem. Establish a theory of probably cause. ( Test the theory to determine cause. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution. Verify full system functionality and if applicable implement preventative measures.
How do you check continuity on a circuit board?
To complete your continuity test, place one probe at each end of the circuit or component you want to test. As before, if your circuit is continuous, the screen displays a value of zero (or near zero), and the multimeter beeps.
How do you tell if a fuse is blown on a circuit board?
Touch one lead to each metal cap on the ends of the fuse. If the fuse is OK, you will see maybe an ohm or two and the buzzer will sound. If the fuse is blown, you will read infinity ohms and the buzzer will not sound. If the fuse is good replace it in the board.
How do I find a short in a circuit board?
Look for Signs of Burnt Components A short circuit may result in some components getting burnt. A cracked IC, blown capacitor, or the familiar acrid smell of burnt components are all telltale signs that a short circuit is close by. Locate and remove the damaged component and investigate traces connected to it.
How do you repair a PCB circuit board?
Fix PCB to your work surface then remove the damaged parts. Clean the track and remove solder. Place your copper tape over the track. Solder the joints. Restore the circuit board through-hole. Place and solder your component. Trim excess tape from the repaired area.
How do you know which capacitor is positive and negative?
To tell which side is which, look for a large stripe or a minus sign (or both) on one side of the capacitor. The lead closest to that stripe or minus sign is the negative lead, and the other lead (which is unlabeled) is the positive lead. Another way to tell the sides apart is to look at the length of the leads.
Are capacitors polarity sensitive?
Capacitor Physical Size The electrolytic and tantalum capacitors are polarized (polarity sensitive), and are always labeled as such. Ceramic, mylar, plastic film, and air capacitors do not have polarity markings, because those types are nonpolarized (they are not polarity sensitive).
How can you tell if a circuit board is fried?
Smelling smoke or seeing charred circuitry are obvious signs, but also examine the capacitors, which are cylindrical in shape and placed in various locations on the board. Their job is to filter the electricity going to various components on the board, and power surges or overheating can damage them.
