Key PCB Manufacturing Requirements for Long-Term Outdoor Equipment
As renewable energy, power infrastructure, communication systems, industrial control, transportation, environmental monitoring, and security applications continue to expand, more electronic equipment is being deployed outdoors for long-term operation. Compared with indoor applications, outdoor equipment may be exposed to temperature fluctuations, high humidity, condensation, dust, and mechanical vibration. In some regions, equipment may also be exposed to corrosive conditions such as salt spray. These environmental factors place greater demands on the ability of electronic systems to withstand harsh environments and maintain long-term reliability. It should be noted that PCBs are typically installed inside the equipment. The actual environmental stresses they experience also depend on the enclosure protection level, internal thermal conditions, installation position, and PCBA-level protective measures such as conformal coating or potting. As a ke...