PCB Components & Sourcing Guide

Components & Sourcing

SMD Packages Explained

The small, compact devices we use every day, from smartphones to wearables, are made possible by Surface Mount Technology (SMT). Central to SMT are the SMD (Surface Mount Devices), which are soldered directly onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB). These SMD components replaced bulky through-hole components, enabling a shift from manual processes to automated, high-density SMT assembly. The SMT technology offers key advantages over through-hole: ● Improved Electrical Performance: Less parasitic inductance......

Nov 18, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Everything You Need to Know about BGA Technology in PCB Assembly

Ball Grid Array (BGA) is a leadless surface-mount package widely used in high-density and high-speed PCB designs. It features an array of solder balls on the underside, providing high I/O density, better signal integrity, and thermal performance. This guide covers what is BGA, different types of BGA packages, advantages and disadvantages, assembly requirements, inspection methods, and common defect solutions, helping engineers make informed decisions in PCB manufacturing. What is Ball Grid Array (BGA)......

Feb 27, 2024

Components & Sourcing

LQFP Package Explained: Pin Pitch, Dimensions & Applications

The LQFP package (Low-Profile Quad Flat Package) is a widely used surface-mount IC package known for its fine pitch, compact size, and reliable performance in modern electronics. Commonly found in microcontrollers, embedded systems, and industrial devices, LQFP packages offer a balance between high pin density and easy inspection. In this guide, we’ll explain what an LQFP package is, how it works, its dimensions, applications, and PCB design considerations—helping engineers and manufacturers choose th......

Jan 31, 2026

Components & Sourcing

PoP Package (Package on Package) Explained: Architecture, Assembly, and SMT Challenges

In the race for miniaturization, fitting more processing power into smaller footprints is the ultimate challenge for PCB designers. Package on Package (PoP) technology answers this by integrating logic and memory vertically, becoming the standard for modern mobile processors. However, this 3D architecture demands advanced SMT assembly capabilities beyond standard fabrication. JLCPCB specializes in the high-precision manufacturing required to master these complex stacks. This guide covers how PoP packa......

Jan 28, 2026

Components & Sourcing

Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC): Package, Specs & Uses

As designs transition from legacy through-hole components to high-density Surface Mount Technology (SMT), the Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) remains the industry standard for operational amplifiers, flash memory, sensors, and microcontrollers. It stands as a testament to balanced engineering, offering a perfect compromise between the miniaturisation demanded by modern consumer electronics and the ruggedness required for industrial applications. This article serves as a definitive engineering ......

Jan 27, 2026

Components & Sourcing

What Is a PQFP Package? Plastic Quad Flat Package Design, Footprint, and Assembly Guide

The Plastic Quad Flat Package (PQFP) is a widely used IC package in industrial, automotive, and embedded designs. This article provides a practical, engineering-focused guide to PQFP package. It explains how PQFP is built, when it makes sense to use it, how it compares with newer package types, and what designers should consider in terms of footprint design, thermal performance, signal integrity, manufacturing, and reliability. What Is a PQFP Package (Plastic Quad Flat Package)? A Plastic Quad Flat Pa......

Jan 27, 2026

Components & Sourcing

SMD LED Explained: Types, Packages, Applications, and How to Choose

SMD LED has become the standard light source in modern electronics and lighting products. From LED strips and displays to automotive dashboards and consumer devices, SMD LEDs are everywhere—but many designers and buyers still struggle to choose the right type. Package sizes, brightness, heat dissipation, color control, and assembly constraints all affect performance and reliability. Choosing the wrong SMD LED can lead to overheating, uneven lighting, or manufacturing issues. This guide breaks down wha......

Jan 18, 2026

Components & Sourcing

Ceramic Quad Flat Package (CQFP): Design, Reliability, Assembly, and When to Use It

When system failure is not acceptable, IC package selection becomes a reliability-driven engineering decision rather than a cost-driven one. In such scenarios, the limitations of plastic IC packages quickly emerge under sustained thermal stress, vibration, and harsh environmental exposure. This is precisely where the Ceramic Quad Flat Package (CQFP) remains a deliberate choice. Unlike plastic QFPs, CQFP packages offer hermetic sealing, superior dimensional stability, and predictable long-term aging—ch......

Jan 16, 2026

Components & Sourcing

7 Types of BGA (Ball Grid Array) Packages Explained

Key Takeaways: BGA Package Types ● BGA packages enable high I/O density and improved electrical performance for HDI PCBs. ● Different BGA types are optimised for cost, thermal performance, signal integrity, or reliability. ● Selecting the wrong BGA package can lead to reflow defects, thermal failure, or SI/PI issues. ● Proper package selection must align with PCB stackup, reflow profile, and application environment. The Ball Grid Array (BGA) packages have made a very big impact on the High-Density Int......

Jan 15, 2026

Components & Sourcing

Quad Flat Package (QFP): The Engineer's Guide to Design, Assembly and Thermal Management

What is QFP Package? The Quad Flat Package (QFP) is one of the most popular surface mount technology (SMT) package formats throughout the history of electronic manufacturing. After it became standard in the 1980s, the QFP has been the industry standard for integrated circuits (ICs) with moderate to high pin counts that typically range from 32 to 304 pins, so it was a good alternative for simple SOIC packages and complex Ball Grid Arrays (BGAs) at the same time. Defined by its "gull-wing" leads extendi......

Dec 29, 2025

Components & Sourcing

The Engineering Guide to Capacitor Symbols: Schematic Standards and Polarity

In high-frequency PCB design and precision analog circuitry, the capacitor is not merely a charge storage device governed by the fundamental equation C = Q/V; it is a complex component possessing Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) and Inductance (ESL). However, before a design reaches the simulation or layout stage, it begins as a symbol on a schematic. For the PCB design engineer, the capacitor symbol is a critical element, serving as the main instruction for both the layout team and the manufacturin......

Dec 28, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Capacitor Polarity Explained: How to Identify It, Read Markings, and Avoid Reverse Failures

In modern electronics, the board is dominated by non-polarized components like MLCCs (Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors). Yet, for any application requiring high capacitance in a small volume - such as power supply filtering or DC-DC converters - engineers invariably turn to polarized capacitors. These components, namely aluminum electrolytic and tantalum capacitors, are the workhorses of power integrity. But they come with one critical, non-negotiable rule: they must be installed in the correct orientati......

Dec 28, 2025

Components & Sourcing

SMD Capacitor Codes: Identification, Markings, and Polarity

Identifying SMD capacitor codes is a unique and often confusing challenge. Unlike components with clear, standardized labels, capacitor markings depend entirely on capacitor type, and in most cases, the marking is a complete absence of one. As fundamental components for storing charge, capacitors are essential for every part of an embedded system, from filtering power supply noise (decoupling) and setting oscillator timing to coupling signals between ICs. Correctly identifying them is a critical skill......

Dec 27, 2025

Components & Sourcing

The Complete Guide to Read SMD Resistor Codes

Modern electronics are defined by miniaturization. As PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards) become denser, components shrink, leaving no room for traditional labels like color bands. This necessity created the compact, cryptic language of Surface-Mount Device (SMD) codes. For any engineer, technician, or hobbyist working with modern hardware, learning how to read surface mount resistors is a fundamental skill. This guide offers a detailed examination of the three most common SMD resistor marking systems: 3-di......

Dec 27, 2025

Components & Sourcing

SMD Resistor Package Sizes: Complete Size Chart, Footprints & How to Choose

Surface Mount Device (SMD) resistors are fundamental to modern electronics, and selecting the correct package size is a crucial engineering decision that impacts a PCB’s electrical performance, thermal reliability, and manufacturing cost. In this article, you will find practical, authoritative guidance on: ● The complete SMD resistor size chart (01005 to 2512) with exact dimensions and power ratings. ● Recommended PCB footprints and guidelines for reflow reliability. ● Critical trade-offs concerning p......

Dec 08, 2025

Components & Sourcing

SMD Resistor Selection Guide: Types, Package Sizes, Applications and Tips

Selecting the right SMD resistor is crucial for ensuring stable circuit performance. Because resistance, tolerance, power rating, and package size directly affect voltage control, current flow, and overall reliability, choosing an unsuitable SMD resistor may lead to overheating or unstable operation. To help beginners make the right decision, this guide explains the fundamentals of SMD resistors—including common types, key selection factors, size codes, tolerance ratings, and special-purpose resistor ......

Nov 27, 2025

Components & Sourcing

How to Solder SMD Components Like a Pro [2026 Updated]

Soldering is a core skill to know, and when it comes to SMD, things become more complex and smaller. Soldering is similar to welding, but instead of welding two iron/steel pieces, we are now welding small components. To develop a circuit, the best way to join two components is by soldering. There are two main types of components in electronics: one is a through hole with long legs covered with tin, which can be easily inserted onto a PCB and then soldered, and the other is SMDs (surface mount devices)......

Sep 19, 2025

Components & Sourcing

A Complete Guide to Surface Mount Device (SMD)

Imagine holding a smartphone in your hand. Inside that sleek device lies a complex network of thousands of miniature components — resistors smaller than a grain of rice, capacitors thinner than a fingernail, and integrated circuits containing millions of transistors. Without Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and its compact Surface Mount Devices (SMDs), none of this would exist. Just a few decades ago, electronics were bulky. Radios filled desks, computers filled rooms, and assembling a circuit meant dri......

Dec 29, 2025

Components & Sourcing

TQFP vs LQFP: Differences, Specs, Applications & Which to Choose

The TQFP (Thin Quad Flat Package) and LQFP (Low-Profile Quad Flat Package) are two of the most common surface-mount IC packages used in modern electronics. While they share a similar quad-lead design, differences in body height, lead length, and pin pitch make them suited for distinct applications. Understanding these differences is crucial for PCB design, soldering, and assembly. In this guide, we’ll break down TQFP vs LQFP, comparing specifications, soldering considerations, PCB layout tips, and pra......

Jan 30, 2026

Components & Sourcing

Understanding the Function of Electronic Parts in Circuit Design

Introduction The basic building blocks of modern electronics, electronic parts are important in forming reliable and efficient circuits. From small resistors to complex integrated circuits, these parts which range in value are critically important for the design and running of different electronic equipment. The importance of electronic parts in circuit design, their varieties, uses, and best practices for choosing the appropriate components to guarantee excellent performance in your projects are disc......

Oct 15, 2024

Components & Sourcing

Exploring PCB Connectors: Types, Features, and Applications for Optimal Electronic Connectivity

In the world of electronic circuits, PCB connectors quietly ensure that our devices work smoothly. These little components play a big role in connecting electronic parts on a printed circuit board (PCB). This article aims to explain why PCB connectors matter and why choosing the right ones is crucial for making electronic systems perform at their best. Let's explore the basics and see how picking the right PCB connectors can make a big difference in the functionality of our electronic devices. What is......

Oct 20, 2025

Components & Sourcing

GaN vs Silicon: Which Power Device Should You Use

Have you heard something about GaN? It is quite popular nowadays. Not because it is a different technology that saves power, but because today electronics are moving towards miniaturization. And we need small power supplies that can handle a lot more current and power and dissipate less heat. This is all possible due to GaN MOSFETs available in SMT packages out there. There are a lot of new companies that took this idea and implemented it into small mobile and laptop chargers, and generated a lot of r......

Oct 16, 2025

Components & Sourcing

How Nixie Tubes Work: The Glow Behind the Glass

Let me take you in the past, when there were no LED or LCD lights for display, rather a technology that consumes a lot of power but looks awesome. Nixie tubes, a softly glowing orange digits inside a glass tube. But nowadays these have just become obsolete, for some electronics hobbyists still keep them alive as a vintage piece from history. In this article, we’ll dive into how Nixie tubes work. Moreover, we will know the technology behind them and the history that brought them from laboratory equipme......

Sep 28, 2025

Components & Sourcing

A Complete Guide to Circuit Breaker Types and Applications

A circuit can be damaged which will reduce its reliability. Therefore, electrical circuits need to be protected using circuit protection devices. Usually fuses, chokes, decoupling capacitors, zener diodes, protection diodes are enough to prevent the electronics from any mishap. Circuit breakers are also used for the same purpose in electrical systems. A circuit breaker can be defined as a type of switching device that prevents damage to the electrical system by acting as a switch and that interrupts t......

Aug 31, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Types and Packages of SMD Electronic Components

Due to circuit complexity and other factors, the use of SMD components has significantly expanded as electronics, as we all know, are becoming smaller. These days, we need alternatives that offer the same performance in a smaller form factor rather than components that require more room. Comparing SMD components to conventional through-hole components reveals a number of benefits. Due to their tiny leads they perform better at high frequencies and easier automated assembly. First of all, because they ......

Aug 22, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Microprocessor vs. Integrated Circuit: Key Differences, Types, and Applications

In electronics things origin from silicon and today we will discuss two different silicon pieces. It is not a type of battle, but a race of price to performance ratio. An integrated circuit is a piece of a semiconductor chip that houses thousands to billions of transistors in it. Integrated circuits house the basic structure of MOS transistors on a small piece of a silicon wafer. The MOS transistors are connected in a way that achieves the same functionality of a larger setup. And these MOS transistor......

Jul 23, 2025

Components & Sourcing

What is a HDMI RF Modulator? A Complete Guide

1. What is an HDMI RF Modulator? An HDMI RF modulator is a device that converts high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) signals into Radio frequency (RF) signals. This allows HDMI-compatible devices, such as Blu-ray players, gaming consoles, and streaming devices, to transmit audio and video content over coaxial cables, making them compatible with older television sets or distribution systems that use RF signals. These modulators are particularly useful in settings where legacy TV systems are stil......

Jun 20, 2025

Components & Sourcing

What is a Power Management IC (PMIC): Functions and Applications

A Power Management IC (PMIC) is a type of integrated circuit designed to manage the power requirements of the host system. It efficiently distributes, regulates, converts, and monitors electrical power for various components within a device, such as processors, memory units, and peripherals. As the demand for compact, battery-powered, and high-performance devices continues to grow, PMICs have become an essential part of system design across industries. Embedded and application processors and other com......

May 22, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Capacitors in PCB Design_ A Complete Guide to All Types

Capacitors are indispensable components in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design, providing functionality from energy storage and noise filtering to voltage regulation. Whether you're designing a simple circuit or a complex multi-layer board, understanding the different types of capacitors and their applications is crucial. The basic structure of a capacitor consists of two metal plates separated by a layer of dielectric. Capacitors can be of fixed or variable type. The ability of the capacitor to hold e......

Nov 28, 2024

Components & Sourcing

Understanding the Role of PCB Controllers in Electronic Design

A PCB Controller is an important part of designing and building electrical systems. It controls the functions of different mechanical parts on a printed circuit board (PCB) and makes sure they can talk to each other easily. People use PCB controllers in a lot of different situations, from home technology to factory automation. The purpose of this article is to discuss the importance of PCB controllers, including the different kinds, their uses, and the best ways to choose and use them. 1. What is a PC......

Apr 14, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Capacitors 101: How They Work, Their Functions, and Types

Capacitors are indispensable components in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design, providing functionality from energy storage and noise filtering to voltage regulation. Whether you're designing a simple circuit or a complex multi-layer board, understanding the different types of capacitors and their applications is crucial. The basic structure of a capacitor consists of two metal plates separated by a layer of dielectric. Capacitors can be of fixed or variable type. Capacitance is a fundamental concept i......

Components & Sourcing

PCB Controllers in Electronic Circuit Design

PCB controllers are the vital part of modern electronics and they are found on printed circuit boards (PCBs). These controllers are like the brains of electronic systems. They handle data, keep voltages stable, and make sure that all the parts on the circuit board can talk to each other easily. It is impossible to overstate how important they are, especially since computer designs are getting more complicated all the time. There are different kinds of PCB controllers and different uses for them. This ......

Components & Sourcing

PCB Board Connectors: Essential Components for Reliable Connections

PCB board connectors are important parts of electronics because they make it possible for different circuit elements to connect to each other electrically. These connectors make sure that data and power flow smoothly through the system. You can find them in everything from consumer electronics to heavy machinery. This article discusses about the types of PCB board connectors, their uses, and the best ways to choose and place them. What are PCB Board Connectors? PCB board connectors called electrical p......

Feb 12, 2025

Components & Sourcing

Essential Components Found on Every PCBA

Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA) is the heart of modern electronic devices, facilitating the seamless function of various systems by connecting multiple electronic components on a board. While the design and complexity of PCBAs vary based on the application ranging from consumer electronics to industrial systems. But some common core components are consistently found across virtually every assembly. With the evolution of components used in circuit boards over several years, it is essential for ev......

Nov 28, 2024

Components & Sourcing

PCB Fuse Ensuring Circuit Protection in Modern Electronics

Introduction In the world of electronics, the PCB fuse is a critical component that safeguards circuits from damage due to overcurrent protection and short circuit prevention. As electronic devices become more complex and compact, the importance of effective circuit protection cannot be overstated. A PCB fuse, whether in the form of a Surface Mount Device (SMD) fuse or a through-hole fuse, plays a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity and functionality of electronic circuits. This article delves i......

Nov 26, 2024

Components & Sourcing

Exploring Electronic Sensors: The Backbone of Modern Technology

Introduction: In today's tech-driven world, electronic sensors act as the sensory organs of devices, allowing them to perceive and interact with their surroundings. From smartphones and smartwatches to industrial machinery and medical equipment, sensors are crucial. Among these, kinesthetic sensors are notable for detecting physical movement and position. This article explores the role of sensors in electronics and delves into the applications and science behind kinesthetic sensors. 1. Understanding E......

Components & Sourcing

Understanding PCB Connectors Types and Applications in Electronics

Connectors are electronic components that are used to connect different electronic devices, circuits, or systems. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and their classification can be based on several different criteria, including their application. Here are some of the different types of connectors classified by their application: Classification of Connectors by Application： Audio and Video Connectors: Audio and video connectors are used to connect audio and video equipment such as speaker......

Jul 28, 2023