A printed circuit board is an integral component of electronic devices and is used in plenty of devices in the electronic industry. That’s why companies that design electronic items essentially need the support of circuit board manufacturers to complete their production. If you also use PCBs in your manufacturing process, there is one thing that you must know about – how to safely store PCBs.
It’s common in electronics-based companies to get PCBs delivered days, weeks, or even months before they are used. So, you must handle and store each unit of PCB properly so that its functionality and quality don’t get compromised. In this guide, you will learn some tips for the safe storage of printed circuit boards.
How to Prepare Your PCB Storage Area
To store PCBs, you should designate a climate-controlled area that is free of contaminants and debris. It must be dry and super clean. So, make sure to wipe down the area with a clean cloth and get rid of all the dust. If necessary, sweep the area before wiping it.
A moisture-controlled area is important to prevent any defects and damages from occurring to PCBs. Otherwise, they might get damaged with shortages and corrosion. Besides, you should also take steps for any intrusion and electrostatic force in the storage area.
What to Take Care of While Storing PCBs
Just like for any electronics, moisture is the biggest enemy of printed circuit boards. Thus, you don’t want any moisture or contaminants to get in contact with your PCBs.
Keep your hands clean and wear gloves when handling circuit boards. When storing PCBs, pick up the circuit boards from edges and place each of them in an air-tight, vacuum-sealed bag. Don’t put excessive pressure on the boards while storing them.
Once PCBs are placed in a vacuum-sealed bag, store them in an area that is free of static charges and any liquids. The outer package might indicate the normal moisture level for printed circuit boards; however, if your place happens to have too much moisture, you may need to dehumidify the place or bake the place at a precise temperature.
What to Know About Long-Term Storage of PCB?
When it comes to long-term storage, you must have dry shield bags for storing PCBs. Each packet should contain desiccant, a moisture barrier bag, a humidity indicator card, and a moisture-sensitive label. Apart from convenient shelf storage space, printed circuit boards can be stored in air-tight dry cabinets. Dry cabinets are available specifically for the storage of moisture-sensitive items, such as printed circuit boards.
One more thing that you should know about is that you should leave printed circuit boards in their original packaging as a precaution until you need them. It will help you avoid any unnecessary mechanical damage.
By now, you have learned
essential steps that you must follow while storing printed circuit boards to
prevent their quality and functionality from altering. So, keep them in mind
and follow them whenever you need to store PCBs for the short or long term.
