As often as not, not understanding assembly leads to problems in design.

“Mistake” and “error” possess similar meanings in dictionaries. Yet there is a subtle difference between them. A mistake means selecting an incorrect path, when during the time of selection, the correct path is unknown. In contrary, an “error” signifies the selection of an incorrect solution or an incorrect path, when during the time of selection all the data required for a correct decision are supposed to be known. For example: a spelling mistake or a gross error.

Herewith are several common mistakes in PCB design. The consequences of these errors, usually detected during fabrication and assembly, may negatively affect board quality and reliability, and increase production cost and time to market.

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