Thick Copper PCB vs Standard Copper PCB
If you're here, probably you're wondering about the difference between thick copper PCBs and standard copper PCBs. In this post, we'll compare both types and shed some light on their pros and cons.
What are Thick Copper PCBs?
Thick copper PCBs are circuit boards with a copper layer of more than 3oz per square foot. These circuits were designed to handle high power and high current applications, as they offer an increased amount of copper to conduct heat away from a component.
What are Standard Copper PCBs?
Standard copper PCBs are circuit boards with a copper layer of 1oz per square foot. They are the most commonly used type of PCB for standard electronic devices.
Comparison Between Thick Copper PCBs and Standard Copper PCBs
Here’s a chart summarizing the main differences between thick copper PCBs and standard copper PCBs:
| Properties | Thick Copper PCBs | Standard Copper PCBs |
|---|---|---|
| Copper thickness | More than 3oz per square foot | 1oz per square foot |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Complexity | Can be more complicated | Simple |
| Heat dissipation | Better | Worse |
| Trace width/spacing (mil) | Wider | Narrower |
As you can see from the comparison chart above, thick copper PCBs are designed for high-power and high-current applications. They offer better heat dissipation, and have a wider trace width and spacing which minimizes the risk of a short circuit. However, they’re also more complicated and expensive to manufacture.
On the other hand, standard copper PCBs are ideal for most electronic devices because of their simplicity to manufacture, lower cost, and ability to handle low to medium power applications.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between thick copper and standard copper PCBs, it really depends on the application’s requirements. If you’re dealing with high power and high-current applications, thick copper is the way to go, but at a higher cost. For low to medium power applications, standard copper PCBs are ideal.
We hope this comparison has helped you make an informed decision. If you still have any questions, comments, or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd be happy to help.