PCBgogo

Think of a PCB pad as a dedicated "parking spot" on a circuit board for an electronic component. It's a small, exposed area of copper, often coated with a surface finish like gold or tin, designed to provide a reliable electrical and mechanical connection for the component.

Types of Pads

There are two main types of pads:

• Through-hole pads: These are round or oval with a hole in the center. They are used for components like resistors and capacitors that have wire leads. The leads go through the hole and are soldered on the opposite side of the board for a strong physical connection.

  
  

• Surface-mount pads: These are flat areas on the board's surface without a hole. They are used for modern, smaller components like microchips and LEDs. This technology allows for more compact electronics.

  
  

How It Works

Pads work through the soldering process. When solder is heated, it melts and flows onto the pad and the component's lead, forming a strong electrical and mechanical bond. Once the solder cools, it creates a permanent pathway, allowing current to flow from the component to the pad and then onto the copper traces (the "highways" of the circuit) that connect it to other components.

Without pads, it would be impossible to reliably attach components to a circuit board. They are the foundation for all complex electronic functions.

At PCBgogo, we know that pad quality is crucial for a reliable circuit board. Our advanced manufacturing processes ensure every pad is perfectly formed, providing a solid foundation for your products.