Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB – What You Should Know(latest)?

April 19, 2024
by Emma Lu
single sided pcb

Single-sided and Double-sided PCBis a matter of routine and design convenience at the cost of a more complicated manufacturing process. The following is a detailed introduction of these two kinds of PCB.

1. Single-Sided PCBs

Single-sided PCB is the basic one, the spare parts are concentrated on one side, and the circuit is concentrated on the other. Because the wires only appear on one side of them, so we called Single-sided PCB. Because the single-sided PCB has many strict restrictions on the design circuit (because only one side, the wiring cannot cross and must move around the individual path), it is only used on earlier circuits.

A single-sided PCB diagram mainly uses Network Printing(Screen Printing), that is, resist on the copper surface; after etching, mark the welding resistance, and then finish the hole and the shape of the part by punching.

 

2. Double-sided PCB

What is a Double-Sided PCB? Strictly speaking, a Double-Sided PCB is one of the important PCB boards useful in the PCB industry.

They allow for the routing of traces around each other by jumping between a top and bottom layer through vias. Generally speaking, there are lines on both sides!

Common PCBs include Printed circuit boards, flexible circuit boards, Aluminum-Based PCBs, and High-frequency boards.

It needs circuits on both sides. Via is the holes on boards coated with metal, and it can connect wires on both sides. The double-sided PCB area is twice as large as the Single-sided PCB, and the wiring is interleaved, better suited for more complex circuits.

Someone may feel confused that if one Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB, wires on both sides while Electronic parts only one side, is this a Double-sided board or a single one? The answer is obvious.

This kind of board is a Double-sided board; it’s installing a component on the Double-sided board.

3. Categories of Single-Layer PCB

There are five single-layer PCB types — they have properties that may be useful to you.

Flexible 

Example of a circuit board that bends.

Example of a circuit board that bends.

Made of plastic, the single-layer flexible PCB can bend and adapt. However, the downside is that production costs aren’t very low.

Rigid Flex

This board combines plastic and fiberglass, making it tougher than the flexible and single ones. Plus, it’s lighter and smaller than other boards. 

High Frequency

Single-layer high-frequency printed circuit boards use materials like polyphenylene oxide or Teflon. These are ideal for Gigahertz frequency circuits. 

If you go with this one, consider water absorption, dielectric loss, and thermal expansion. 

Rigid

A single-layer rigid PCB has a fiberglass makeup, so it doesn’t bend. Thus, the circuit board won’t break apart easily. 

Aluminum Backing

A single-layer aluminum-backed PCB isn’t the same as a circuit board with copper because it contains an aluminum substrate.

Thanks to its thermal insulating materials, it’s also very useful because heat doesn’t go anywhere near the insulating layer. 

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4. How Is The Single-Layer Different From The Multi-Layer PCB?

Image showing a multilayer printed circuit board. 

Image showing a multilayer printed circuit board. 

When you think about the single-layer PCB, one side has a conductive layer (copper or other material), while the other side may have a fiberglass substrate.

Students and those doing projects pick this one because it’s better to work with.  

The multi-layer PCB differs because it features multiple layers (2+) with components between insulating layers.

You’ll also find that these don’t generate much noise because they come with ground grids or a ground plane.

Plus, designing them isn’t hard since traces intersect under the board.

This happens until they emerge from the PCB’s top. However, multi-layer circuit boards will cost more. 

5. What’s So Good About The Single-Side PCB?

Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Close-up of a PCB. 

Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Close-up of a PCB. 

Single-layer PCBs have all sorts of good things, giving you a better idea of what you’re getting. So take a look at what it offers!

  • It doesn’t take long to figure out what’s causing any issues and fix them all.
  • Works well with low-density circuits and costs less 
  • Soldering/desoldering. drilling, and placing each component Isn’t very hard.
  • Easy to understand, design, install, and produce
  • During fabrication, a single-side PCB is less likely to generate noise and short-circuit.
  • You can use a lower jumper for circuit corrections since your components go on a single layer.

6. Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Is There A 3-layer PCB?

Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Circuit board.

Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Circuit board.

You can get a three-layer circuit board, but few people will use it. That’s because it is more likely to warp.

While laminating, the foil-clad and core structures cool down independently, and those differences create tension that causes the circuit board to warp.   

7. Single-layer PCB & Double-Sided PCB Manufacturers

Assembling a PCB. 

Single-Sided And Double-Sided PCB: Assembling a PCB. 

Not everyone has the right know-how and equipment for creating a single-layer and double-sided board. And that can be troublesome in the long run—especially if you need a project done!

Lucky for you, WellPCB manufactures and assembles single, double, and multi-layer PCBs. Contact us or place your order to get started!  

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Kickstart Your Projects with Precision! Get PCB Assembly for Only $99—Limited Time Offer!

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Emma Lu
Our professional engineering support saves our customers a lot of trouble and loss. >>>>>> After you place the order, our engineer will conduct technical reviews to make sure the parts can be mounted well/correctly on the boards. We will check if the component packages match well with the Gerber footprints, if the part numbers you provided match well with the descriptions, and if the polarity is clearly marked. >>>>> When your design is ready, please send your Gerber and BOM so we can quote and start!