Copper Pour vs Copper Weight
When it comes to designing a printed circuit board (PCB), copper is one of the most important elements of the board. Copper is used to create circuit traces that transfer signals and power throughout the board. There are two main ways that copper is added to a PCB: copper pour and copper weight.
Copper Pour
Copper pour is a method of adding a copper layer to a PCB that covers large areas of the board. The copper is poured onto the board and then connected to the ground plane. This creates a large, continuous copper plane that helps to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and improve the overall performance of the circuit.
One of the benefits of copper pour is that it can help to reduce the amount of etching required in the PCB manufacturing process. It can also help to lower the overall cost of the PCB.
However, one potential drawback of copper pour is that it can add additional weight to the PCB. This can be a concern if the board needs to be lightweight or if it will be used in a mobile device.
Copper Weight
Copper weight is a measure of the thickness of the copper layer on a PCB. The thickness is measured in ounces (oz) and typically ranges from 1 oz to 3 oz. The higher the copper weight, the thicker the copper layer.
One benefit of copper weight is that it can provide a higher level of conductivity in the circuit. Thicker copper layers can handle more current and help to reduce the overall resistance of the board.
However, higher copper weight can also increase the cost of the PCB. Additionally, if a thicker copper layer is not necessary for the design, it can add unnecessary weight to the board.
It's important to note that copper pour and copper weight are not mutually exclusive, and both methods can be used in conjunction with one another to improve the overall performance of the board.
When designing a PCB, it's important to carefully consider the requirements of the circuit and choose the method of copper addition that best suits those requirements.
References
- "Copper Pour vs Copper Weight: Which is Best for Your PCB Design?" Worcester Polytechnic Institute, https://www.wpi.edu/news/copper-pour-vs-copper-weight-which-best-your-pcb-design
- "Choosing the Right Copper Weight for the PCB Design" Altium, https://www.altium.com/solution/choosing-the-right-copper-weight-for-the-pcb-design