Via current density refers to the amount of electrical current a via (plated hole) in a printed circuit board (PCB) can safely carry per unit area. Typical values range from 0.4 to 5.0 A/mm², depending on the via’s diameter and other factors. It’s essential to calculate and design vias to ensure they can handle the expected current without overheating or causing damage to the PCB.
Via Current Density Calculator
| Via Diameter (mm) | Via Current Density (A/mm²) |
|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.6 – 5.0 |
| 0.3 | 1.2 – 4.0 |
| 0.4 | 1.0 – 3.2 |
| 0.5 | 0.8 – 2.5 |
| 0.6 | 0.7 – 2.0 |
| 0.7 | 0.6 – 1.8 |
| 0.8 | 0.5 – 1.6 |
| 0.9 | 0.4 – 1.4 |
| 1.0 | 0.4 – 1.2 |
FAQs
How much current can go through a via? The current-carrying capacity of a via depends on its size and the copper thickness. A typical estimation for a standard via is around 1-3 A.
How do you calculate via in PCB? To calculate the via size, you need to consider the current requirements, thermal needs, and the PCB material properties. Several online calculators and PCB design software tools can help with this.
How do you calculate via size? The via size calculation involves considering factors like current, temperature rise, and the PCB material’s thermal conductivity. Online calculators and PCB design software can assist in determining the optimal size.
How big should vias be? The size of vias depends on the current and thermal requirements. A common range for via diameters is 0.2 to 0.5 mm.
Can you supply too much current? Yes, supplying too much current can damage components, traces, and vias, potentially leading to overheating, melting, or even fire.
What happens if too much current flows through a wire? If too much current flows through a wire, it can overheat, melt, or even cause a fire. This can damage the wire, surrounding materials, and pose safety risks.
What size via is best for PCB? The best via size depends on the specific design requirements. Standard via sizes of 0.2 to 0.5 mm are commonly used in PCB design.
What is via for high current PCB? High current PCBs may require larger vias or multiple vias in parallel to handle the increased current without excessive heating.
What is via current? Via current refers to the amount of electrical current that can safely pass through a via without causing excessive temperature rise or damage.
What is the ratio of via size? The ratio of via size typically refers to the aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the via’s length (depth) to its diameter. A common aspect ratio is 6:1.
What is the thickness of via? The via thickness depends on the PCB manufacturer’s capabilities and design requirements. A typical via thickness ranges from 15 to 35 microns.
How thick is a via wall for PCB? The thickness of a via wall can vary but is usually between 10 to 20 microns.
What is the default via size in PCB? There is no default via size, as it varies depending on the PCB’s design and requirements.
What is the minimum spacing between vias? The minimum spacing between vias depends on manufacturing capabilities but is typically around 0.2 to 0.3 mm.
What is the difference between via size and via hole? The via size refers to the diameter of the entire via, including the hole and the plating. The via hole is just the drilled hole portion of the via.
What happens if not enough amps? If not enough current (amps) is supplied, electronic devices may not function correctly or may not turn on at all.
What happens when not enough current? Insufficient current can lead to underpowered or non-functional electronic circuits.
What happens if amps are too low? If the current (amps) is too low for a device, it may not operate as intended, potentially causing errors or malfunctions.
What problem may occur if the current is too high? Excessive current can lead to overheating, component damage, and even PCB or device failure.
How much is too much current? “Too much” current depends on the components and design, but it’s generally when the current exceeds the components’ rated specifications.
How many volts can a human sustain? A rough estimate is that a person can typically sustain voltages up to 50 volts without severe harm, but the actual limit varies based on factors like skin resistance and current flow pathways.
Do vias make a PCB more expensive? Using vias in PCB design can increase manufacturing complexity and costs, but their impact on overall cost depends on the design’s complexity and the number of vias used.
What is the difference between a pad and a via? A pad is a flat, exposed metal area on a PCB used for component soldering, while a via is a hole that connects different layers of the PCB or carries signals between layers.
Can PCB traces be too big? Yes, PCB traces can be too big, leading to wasted space and increased manufacturing costs. The trace width should be chosen based on current-carrying requirements.
What is the maximum current density on a PCB? The maximum current density for PCB traces typically ranges from 1 to 4 A per square millimeter, depending on the design and material.
What is the via ratio in PCB? The via ratio is the ratio of the via hole diameter to the via pad diameter.
What is the temperature rise for PCB via? The temperature rise for a PCB via depends on factors like current, via size, and PCB material, but it’s typically kept within a few degrees Celsius.
How do vias affect PCB? Vias are crucial for routing signals and power between different layers of a PCB, allowing for compact and complex designs.
Why use vias in PCB? Vias enable multi-layer PCBs, reduce signal interference, and allow for efficient power distribution.
Why do vias have holes? Vias have holes to connect different layers of the PCB, creating electrical pathways for signals and power.
What is the smallest via size? The smallest via size can be as small as 0.1 mm, but it depends on the manufacturer’s capabilities and design requirements.
What is blind via ratio? Blind via ratio refers to the aspect ratio of vias that terminate on the outermost layer of a multi-layer PCB.
What is the size of blind via? The size of blind vias can vary, but they are typically smaller than through-hole vias.
How thick is thermal via plating? Thermal via plating thickness ranges from 15 to 35 microns, depending on design requirements and manufacturer capabilities.
How thick is a plated through hole wall? The plated through hole wall thickness typically ranges from 10 to 20 microns.
What is a via hole? A via hole is the drilled or etched hole in a PCB that allows electrical connections between different layers.
How much current can a Microvia carry? Microvias have a smaller current-carrying capacity than standard vias, typically around 0.5 A.
What is via fill PCB material? Via fill materials are used to fill vias for planarization and improved reliability. Materials can include epoxy or conductive fill.
How thick is Jlcpcb via plating? The thickness of via plating at JLCPCB can vary, but it typically falls within the range of 15 to 35 microns.
How do you measure via plating thickness? Via plating thickness can be measured using specialized tools like microscopes or X-ray inspection equipment.
How thick is a 16 layer PCB? A 16-layer PCB typically has a thickness of 1.6 to 2.4 mm, depending on design and material choices.
How thick is a 20 layer PCB? A 20-layer PCB can have a thickness ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 mm, depending on design specifications.
What is the hole size tolerance for PCB via? The hole size tolerance for PCB vias can vary but is typically within ±0.05 mm.
What is the minimum drill size for a PCB? The minimum drill size for a PCB depends on the manufacturer’s capabilities, but it is usually around 0.15 mm.
How do I choose PCB trace width? Choose PCB trace width based on current-carrying requirements, using online calculators or PCB design guidelines.
What is the 3W spacing rule? The 3W spacing rule suggests that the distance between traces should be at least three times the width of the narrower trace to avoid crosstalk and interference.
What is the distance between vias shielding? The distance between vias for shielding purposes depends on the specific design requirements but should be sufficient to prevent unwanted coupling.
What is minimum electrical clearance in PCB? The minimum electrical clearance in PCB design refers to the minimum distance between two conductive elements to prevent electrical arcing or short circuits.
What is a good via size? A good via size depends on the specific design requirements, but a via with a diameter of 0.2 to 0.5 mm is often suitable for many applications.
What is the recommended via aspect ratio? A recommended aspect ratio for vias is typically 6:1, but it can vary based on design and manufacturing capabilities.
What happens if a PCB gets too hot? Excessive heat can lead to component damage, solder joint failure, and decreased reliability. Cooling measures may be necessary.
Do vias increase PCB cost? Using vias can increase PCB manufacturing costs, especially for more complex designs or HDI (High-Density Interconnect) boards.
Are vias bad in PCB design? Vias are not inherently bad but should be used judiciously and in accordance with design requirements to avoid signal integrity issues and manufacturing complexities.
Why avoid vias? Vias should be avoided when possible to reduce signal reflections, signal degradation, and manufacturing complexity. However, they are often necessary for multi-layer PCBs.
Are vias capacitive or inductive? Vias can exhibit both capacitive and inductive characteristics, depending on their geometry and the signal frequency.
Should vias be covered with solder mask? Vias are typically not covered with solder mask as it can interfere with their electrical connections. Solder mask is applied to cover copper traces.
Are buried vias filled? Buried vias are typically not filled as they are entirely contained within the PCB layers.
Are there standard via sizes? There are no universally standardized via sizes, as they vary based on design requirements and manufacturer capabilities.
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