How to Debug A Newly Designed PCB Board

For a newly designed PCB circuit board, it is often difficult to debug it, especially when the board is relatively large and there are many components, it is often impossible to start. But if you master a reasonable set of debugging methods, debugging will be more effective. For the new PCB board that has just been taken back, we must first observe whether there are problems on the board, such as whether there are obvious cracks, whether there are short circuits, open circuits, etc. If necessary, check whether the resistance between the power supply and the ground wire is large enough.

Then it’s time to install the components. Modules that are independent of each other, if you are not sure to ensure that they work normally, it is best not to install them all, but to install them part by part (for relatively small circuits, you can install them all at once), so that it is easy to determine the fault range, When you encounter problems when you get it, there is hard to start. Generally speaking, you can install the power supply part first, and then power on to check whether the output voltage of the power supply is normal. If you are not too sure about power up (even if you are sure, it is recommended that you add a fuse, just in case), consider using an adjustable regulated power supply with current limiting function. First preset the overcurrent protection current, then slowly increase the voltage value of the regulated power supply, and monitor the input current, input voltage and output voltage. If there are no problems such as overcurrent protection during the upward adjustment process, and the output voltage also reaches normal, then the power supply part is OK. On the contrary, it is necessary to disconnect the power supply, find the fault point, and repeat the above steps until the power supply is normal.

Next, install other modules gradually. After each module is installed, power on and test it. When powering on, follow the above steps to avoid overcurrent and burn out components due to design errors or/or installation errors.