Why can’t PCB line go right Angle?


In PCB production, the design of the circuit board is a very time-consuming and does not allow for any sloppy process. In the PCB design process, there will be an unwritten rule, that is, to avoid the use of right-angle wiring, so why is there such a rule? This is not a whim of the designers, but a deliberate decision based on multiple factors. In this article, we will uncover the mystery of why PCB wiring should not go right Angle, explore the reasons and the design knowledge behind it.

First of all, let’s be clear about what right Angle wiring is. Right Angle wiring means that the shape of the wiring on the circuit board presents an obvious right Angle or 90 degree Angle. In early PCB manufacturing, right-angle wiring was not uncommon. However, with the development of technology and the improvement of circuit performance requirements, designers began to gradually avoid the use of right-angle lines, and prefer to use circular arc or 45° bevel shape.

Because in practical applications, right-angle wiring will easily lead to signal reflection and interference. In signal transmission, especially in the case of high frequency signals, the right Angle routing will produce the reflection of electromagnetic waves, which may lead to signal distortion and data transmission errors. In addition, the current density at the right Angle varies greatly, which may cause the instability of the signal, and then affect the performance of the entire circuit.

In addition, boards with right-angle wiring are more likely to produce machining defects, such as pad cracks or plating problems. These defects may cause the reliability of the circuit board to decline, and even failure during use, so, in combination with these reasons, so will avoid the use of right-angle wiring in the design of PCB!