{"id":228,"date":"2020-07-21T02:56:10","date_gmt":"2020-07-20T18:56:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huntron.com\/news\/?p=228"},"modified":"2021-01-11T07:21:02","modified_gmt":"2021-01-11T15:21:02","slug":"utilize-senior-electrical-engineers-pcb-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huntron.com\/news\/utilize-senior-electrical-engineers-pcb-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Best Utilize Your Senior Electrical Engineers for PCB Testing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Utilize<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

3 MIN. READ<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testing printed circuit boards (PCBs) is largely automated. However, the testing process still requires expertise to collect, sort and cleanse data for statistical analysis. Moreover, some test procedures are still better conducted manually. As a result, even PCB manufacturers that use automated PCB testing still need test engineers and technicians to support them. Here is an overview of what these experts do and how to utilize them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

The role of test engineers in PCB testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Test engineers play a critical role in PCB testing because they are the experts who design the tests to determine whether PCBs meet the design specifications. Test engineers know an efficient testing program will acknowledge the reality that it is impossible to test every component and circuit when operating at production levels. Thus, it is up to the test engineers to determine how to test PCBs to ensure that they are functional under normal operating conditions without excessively slowing production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These engineers must understand the strengths and weaknesses of each type of test<\/a> and what those tests reveal about the PCB. By designing a test strategy that reveals exactly what performance characteristics of the PCB are necessary to its functionality, the test engineers can help reduce warranty repairs and replacements, thereby improving customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The role of technicians in PCB testing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Technicians usually have a different type of education than engineers. While engineers are mostly educated in theory<\/a>, technicians are usually educated in the hands-on practice of testing PCBs. Technicians are just as critical to a testing program as engineers, but they are usually paid less because qualified technicians are easier to find than qualified engineers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technicians implement the testing program. Junior technicians operate the testing equipment, conduct manual tests and gather testing data. Senior technicians take the testing data and make sense of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specifically, analysis of testing data takes two forms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n