Background Theory > PCB Design > How are printed circuit boards made? > Acceptability of Printed Boards : IPC-A-600

Acceptability of Printed BoardsThe IPC-A-600J is the latest revision of the IPC-A-600 standard, titled "Acceptability of Printed Boards". The IPC (Institute of Printed Circuits) is a global trade association that sets standards for the electronic interconnect industry.

The IPC-A-600 standard is widely recognized and used in the electronics industry. It defines three classes of acceptance criteria for visually inspecting rigid printed circuit boards (PCBs) to ensure their manufacturing quality. The three classes defined in this standard are:

Class 1

General Electronic Products - includes products suitable for applications where the major requirement is the function of the completed assembly.

Class 2

Dedicated Service Electronic Products - includes products where continued performance and extended life are required, and for which uninterrupted service is desired but not critical.

Class 3

High Performance Electronic Products - includes products where continued high performance or performance-on-demand is critical, equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, end-use environment may be exceptionally harsh, and the equipment must function when required (such as life support systems and flight control systems).

The standard covers many aspects of PCB quality, including base material surface and subsurface conditions, solder resist coverage, conductor width and spacing, annular ring, hole size and location, and more. It's a crucial reference for PCB manufacturers, assemblers, and quality control teams.

Remember, for the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's always best to refer to the IPC website or the actual IPC-A-600J document.