Do circuits built using PCB and using bread board perform the same?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the performance differences between circuits built on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and those constructed on breadboards. Participants explore various factors influencing circuit behavior, including impedance, grounding, and the specific characteristics of different circuit types, particularly in the context of biomedical applications and high-frequency signals.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that performance differences depend on the type of circuit, with RF and high impedance circuits likely performing worse on breadboards compared to PCBs.
  • It is noted that for typical circuits operating at a few hundred kHz with lower impedance, breadboards may perform comparably to PCBs.
  • Participants emphasize the importance of circuit layout and grounding, arguing that improper grounding can lead to significant issues in circuit performance.
  • There are claims that breadboards are more susceptible to electromagnetic noise due to exposed wiring.
  • Some participants mention that certain analog circuits can behave differently when transitioning from breadboards to PCBs due to parasitic capacitance effects.
  • One participant highlights that using a PCB for initial prototypes can reduce surprises in final product performance.
  • Concerns are raised about the impact of capacitance in sensitive circuits, with examples provided where even small capacitance can significantly affect performance.
  • Participants discuss the practicality of using PCBs for compact designs, particularly with surface mount technology (SMT).
  • There are anecdotes shared about specific circuit designs that required careful component placement to achieve desired performance, illustrating the challenges of high-frequency applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the performance of breadboards versus PCBs, with no consensus reached. While some agree on the advantages of PCBs for certain applications, others highlight scenarios where breadboards may suffice or even excel.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various limitations and conditions affecting circuit performance, such as the influence of grounding, layout, and the specific characteristics of components used. These factors contribute to the complexity of determining a definitive answer regarding the performance comparison.

  • #31
Averagesupernova said:
Yungman, I recall hearing that prior to my employment freon was often used for cleaning boards. I never had any experience with it.

We mostly use the bath for high vacuum components. We kind of taking advantage that of the situation and use it. Now is almost impossible to buy those freon anymore because of the pollution.
 
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  • #32
Just a wild hunch, put a temporary spacer ( like a piece of cardboard) under the relay when you solder to create a tiny gap between the pcb and the relay when you solder. Then remove the spacer after soldering. Now you have some day light between the relay and the board. With this, dirt, flux is not going to be trapped as easy and you can get the flux solvent in between and clean the flux or dirt.
 
  • #33
Topher925 said:
One thing not mentioned here but certainly is an issue in very sensitive applications is piezoelectric effects. With breadboards, everything is through hole and loosely mounted so piezoelectric effects can be ignored. However on PCB's, SMD mount capacitors can function as little microphones and introduce electrical noise from acoustical vibrations from the local environment.

Some of my research requires very sensitive optoelectronics (talking GIGA-ohm feedback resistors on op-amps here) where just clapping your hands in the same room as the device would completely wash out the signal being measured. These kinds of things can be ignored in most cases, but in my case I had to go back redesign an enclosure and part of a PCB due to not taking these effects in account.

It's the vibration. We deal a lot with that. that's where rigid coax and secure mounting come in play. In fact I was helping a person here on photo diode detector circuit. He had the photo diode mounted on a platform moved by stepper motor, he used cable to connect to the transimpedance amp mounted somewhere else. I had him move the whole transimpedance amp to the platform with the photo diode and solve the problem. Get as much gain on the rigid part before sending the signal down. Have the amp bud up to the detector to minimize the components that can pick up vibration. At that, it is not a guarantee.
 
Last edited:
  • #34
Yungman, the final fix for the flux residue under the relay was in fact a spacer that did what you described. The vapors escaped during soldering and did not impregnate the plastic on the relay. As I remember it, once the relay was contaminated there was little that could be done to clean it up. It had become part of the plastic.
 

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