{"id":17838,"date":"2024-01-12T01:59:35","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T09:59:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/eagle\/blog\/?p=1216"},"modified":"2024-01-12T02:00:20","modified_gmt":"2024-01-12T10:00:20","slug":"solder-bridging-pcb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com\/products\/fusion-360\/blog\/solder-bridging-pcb\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Solder Bridging On a PCB? (2024 Update)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What is solder bridging on a PCB, and how can you prevent it?<\/span> Read on to discover the answers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s one thing sure about electronics design<\/a>, it\u2019s that everything keeps on getting smaller and smaller. Just look at the wearable industry these days. We\u2019re cramming in electronics that used to be housed in a giant desktop tower into something that can be strapped to your wrist. And while this process of constant miniaturization might seem like a miracle to some, for engineers and manufacturers it can be a nightmare.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s always that nagging stress of wondering how you\u2019ll fit all of those components into package sizes that keep shrinking. And then hoping you get a board back without any soldering issues. Of the many manufacturing issues that are caused by these shrinking package sizes, solder bridging takes the top of the list. But what is it exactly, and how can you prevent it from happening in your design? Let\u2019s find out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

Solder bridging 101<\/h2>\n\n\n

Solder bridging is just one of the many soldering issues that can occur on your PCB<\/a><\/span> during its manufacturing journey. As its name suggests, it takes place when two or more pads become connected through an excessive application of solder, creating a bridge. Unlike other soldering issues which can be easy to identify, like the tombstoning of a component, identifying a solder bridge isn\u2019t as easy to catch. This issue can be microscopic, but even the smallest solder bridge that goes undetected on your PCB can lead to some nasty results, like a short circuit or a trace\/component burning up.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A close-up of a solder bridge being formed between two of the pins on an IC. (Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So what keeps solder from being excessively applied to your board in the first place? That\u2019s the job of a solder mask layer. This solder-resistant<\/span> coating gets added to your PCB during manufacturing and is used to protect specific areas of your PCB that should not have solder applied. For example, the space between two pads on an integrated circuit will be designated with a solder mask, so the only solder you\u2019ll get is on the two pads, but not between them, which could cause a solder bridge. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The green color on any PCB is a giveaway of the solder mask being applied, although it comes in a variety of other colors. (Image source<\/a>)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n

Solder bridging causes<\/h2>\n\n\n

Many different conditions can lead to solder bridging occurring on your PCB design during manufacturing. Some of these are related to the equipment and processes of the manufacturer, and others are related to the decisions you made during your design process. Some of the most common causes for solder bridging include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n