Blog  /  Single Layer PCB: Everything You Need to Know About Single-Layer PCBs

Single Layer PCB: Everything You Need to Know About Single-Layer PCBs

If you are looking for a single-layer PCB, you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about the single-sided board. Moreover, we will talk about the benefits of using them, as well as some of the drawbacks. By the end of this post, you should have a good understanding of what single-layer PCBs are and whether or not they are the right choice for your project!

 

Single Sided PCB-What is Single Layering?

 

Multiplied printed circuit boards PCB isolated on the white background. PCB assembly.

Circuit Boards close up with a short Depth Of Field, close up.

 

A single-sided PCB, also known as a single-layer PCB, is a circuit board that has only one layer of conductive materials. In addition, this layer is typically made of copper foil, and manufacturers etch them with the circuit pattern. Also, the single-sided PCB is the most basic type of PCB, and it is applicable in a wide variety of applications.

single Layer PCB Stackup

 

Single layer pcb stackup

Single layer pcb stackup

As we can see from the picture above,  a single-layer PCB has only one layer of conductive materials. And this layer is for the circuitry. So, if you want to add some more components to the PCB, you have to put them on the other side of the board.

 

Single Side PCB Raw Material 

 

Close-up electronic circuit board

Multiplied printed circuit boards PCB isolated on the white background. PCB assembly.

 

Aluminum

 

Aluminum is the most common single-layer PCB raw material. And aluminum material substrate is also the cheapest one. The main advantage of aluminum is that it has good heat conduction. So, it can dissipate heat quickly.

 

Fr4   Grade Fiberglass Laminates

 

FR-4 is a common dielectric used in single-side PCBs. FR stands for Flame Retardant, and it is made of fiberglass. The main advantage of FR- is that it has a good heat resistance and it is cheaper than other dielectrics.

 

Cem 1

 

CEM-1 is a low-cost single-layer PCB. Besides, It is using fiberglass and epoxy. The main advantage of CEM- is that it has good heat resistance and it is cheaper than other dielectrics.

 

Cem 3

 

CEM-3’s main material is fiberglass and epoxy. Plus, it is a single-sided PCB with good heat resistance. The main advantage of CEM- is that it has good heat resistance and it is cheaper than other dielectrics.

 

Copper base

 

A copper single-layer circuit board uses a thin layer of copper foil that gets laminated onto a dielectric substrate. The main advantage of the copper single-layer circuit board is that it has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. Usually, copper single-layer PCBs are useful in high-power applications where heat dissipation is a concern.

 

What is the Difference Between Single-layer and Multi-layer PCBs?

 

Close-up electronic circuit board

Close-up electronic circuit board

 

The single-layer PCB is the most basic type of PCB, and it has one layer of conductive materials. In contrast, a multi-layer PCB has two or more layers of conductive materials.

The single-layer circuit board is typically made of copper foil, and it is etched with the desired circuit pattern. The single-layer circuit board is then coated with a solder mask, which is typically green, and the exposed copper is then plated with solder.

While multilayer PCBs are more complex and expensive, single-layer PCBs have some advantages.

Single Layer PCB Applications

 

Printed circuit board (PCB) on white background

Printed circuit board (PCB) on white background

 

Where are single-layer PCBs used? The following are some of the single layer pcb uses.

Single-sided pcb boards are most commonly applicable in low-density applications, such as:

 

- Resistors

 

Electrical resistor isolated on a white background. Electric circuit component

Electrical resistor isolated on a white background. Electric circuit component

 

- Diodes

 

3 mm led diode, rgb (red, green, blue)

3 mm led diode, rgb (red, green, blue)

 

- Capacitors

 

Isolated capacitor, used in the electronic device. 

Isolated capacitor, used in the electronic device. 

 

- Inductors

Set of electric copper coil inductor isolated on white background

Set of electric copper coil inductor isolated on white background

 

- Transformers

- LEDS

 

different current LEDs-technologies in one picture

different current LEDs-technologies in one picture

 

- Switches

Turning on or off on light switch with wood wall at home.

Turning on or off on light switch with wood wall at home.

 

-Coffee makers

 

Woman making fresh espresso in the coffee maker.

Woman making fresh espresso in the coffee maker.

-machine circuits

-power supplies

-timing circuits

 

These single-layer pcb applications are suitable for boards that have less wiring. Also, single-layer pcb is applicable because they are easy to design and the manufacturing process is simpler as compared to multilayer pcb. 

 

How do I make a single-layer PCB?

 

The technological manufacturing process of de soldering and assembly components on circuit board. 

The technological manufacturing process of de soldering and assembly components on circuit board. 

 

Making a single layer pcb is not as complicated as it may seem. You can use software like Eagle to design your single-layer pcb. Once you have designed your board, you will need to send the design to a manufacturer who will produce the board for you.

The base material for a single layer pcb is typically FR-42. This material is strong and heat resistant, making it ideal for single-layer pcb applications.

In addition, base material types and the nature of the dielectric layer are also single-sided pcb factors that will affect your choice of single-layer pcb.

Other factors that you should consider when choosing a single-layer pcb include the thickness of the copper, the number of layers, and the size of the board.

You can also choose to have your single-layer pcb made with a lead-free finish.

 

Single Layer Rigid PCBs Manufacturer

 

Electronics Manufacturing Services, Assembly Of Circuit Board arrangement, close-up of the raw of PCBA in the tray.

Electronics Manufacturing Services, Assembly Of Circuit Board arrangement, close-up of the raw of PCBA in the tray.

 

Once you have decided on the specifications for your single-layer pcb, you will need to find a manufacturer that can produce the board for you.

  • There are many manufacturers that offer single-layer circuit board services, so be sure to research each one carefully before making your decision.
  • You should also ask for quotes from multiple manufacturers before making your final choice.
  • Single pcb can be a great option for a variety of applications, so be sure to consider all of the factors mentioned above before making your final decision.

 

Types of Single Layer PCB

 

circuit Boards with chips and radio electronics components

circuit Boards with chips and radio electronics components

 

In this section, we will talk about the single-layer circuit board in detail.

-Single Layer Flexible PCBs

Single layer pcb is in use of flexible material and is common in applications where you need to bend or flex the board. Plus,  these types of pcb can be useful in high-temperature applications.

-Single-layer rigid PCBs

These are the most common type of single-sided pcb. These types of boards are using of rigid material and are applicable in a variety of applications. Also, these boards can prevent crosstalk and are resistant to electromagnetic interference.

-Single Layer Rigid and Flexible PCB

Rigid-flex PCBs are single-layer boards that have both rigid and flexible sections. These types of boards are common in applications where the board needs to be bent or flexed. Plus,  these types of pcb can be in use in high-temperature applications.

-Single Layer High-Frequency PCB

High-frequency pcb are single-layer boards that are made with materials that can support high frequencies. 

Teflon or polyphenylene oxide (PPO) is usually to make the boards.

When selecting high-frequency single-layer PCBs, there are a few things to consider. Such as dielectric loss, thermal expansion as well as water absorption, etc,. 

-Single Layer Aluminum PCB

Aluminum pcbs are single-layer boards that have an aluminum core.

They are common in high-power applications and have a number of advantages.

Aluminum pcb are more durable than other types of single-layer circuit boards and can dissipate heat more effectively.  Moreover, they are also less likely to warp.

 

Advantages of the single-sided circuit board

 

Holding pcb chip assembly on pcb background on the production of PCBs

Holding pcb chip assembly on pcb background on the production of PCBs

 

The single-sided PCB has several advantages:

-Firstly, it is the cheapest and easiest type of PCB to manufacture. Therefore,  it is ideal for prototyping and small-scale production runs.

- Secondly, single-layer circuit boards are simpler to design than multi-layer PCBs. This is because there is only one layer of conductive material, making the routing of tracks simpler.

- Thirdly, single-layer circuit boards are more reliable than multi-layer PCBs. This is because there are fewer opportunities for errors to occur during the manufacturing process.

single-layer circuit boards are the best choice for simple electronic projects. However, for more complex projects, you will need to use a multi-layer PCB.

-Fourthly, we will install various components on the single-layer circuit board.  As a result, there will be a lower jumper to make up for the circuit.

-Also,  a single-layer circuit board is more flexible than a multi-layer PCB. This is because it can be bent without damaging the tracks.

-Plus, the single pcb reduces manufacturing, assembly, and material costs. Therefore, you will lower the cost of overall pcb.

-And the lead time is short, better for mass production. Suitable for low to medium volume production runs

-Finally, single-layer PCBs are more cost-effective than multi-layer PCBs. This is because they require less material and labor to produce.

 

Disadvantages of single-layer circuit board:

 

  • - Limited to low pin count devices or simple devices
  • - More susceptible to electromagnetic interference
  • - Not suitable for high-speed or high-density circuits
  • It- More difficult to route complex circuits.

- Limited to one side of the board, not like the double-sided pcb or multi-layer PCBs.

Single layer PCB design

 

Female Electrical Engineer Works on Computer with CAD Software.

Female Electrical Engineer Works on Computer with CAD Software.

 

The single-layer board design is the process of designing printed circuit boards with only one conductive layer. Here are some tips for single-layer circuit board design.

  • - Keep the design as simple as possible.
  • - Use wide traces for power and ground lines.
  • - Use vias sparingly.
  • - Keep the board as small as possible.
  • - Use a ground plane if possible.
  • - Keep trace lengths as short as possible.
  • - Avoid using buried or blind vias.

If you need help with single-layers design, contact an experienced PCB designer. They can help you navigate the challenges of single-layer circuit design and ensure that your board is manufactured to the highest quality standards. 

 

single layer PCB design software

 

1 layer PCB's design software is a great tool for designing single-layer PCBs. This type of software allows you to design your board using a variety of different tools and features. You can also use single-layers pcb design software to create multiple versions of your board so that you can test and iterate on your design until it is perfect.

There are a few things to keep in mind when using single-layers PCB design software.

First, make sure that you select the right tool for your needs. There are many different types of single board design software available, and not all of them will be right for every project.

Second, take the time to learn how to use the software. While most design software is fairly easy to use, it is still important to take the time to learn how to use it properly.

Finally, make sure that you test your design before you commit to using it. This will ensure that you are happy with your final product.

 

Summary

 

A single-layer circuit board has one copper layer that is used to create the circuits on the board. Single-layer boards are less expensive than other types of PCBs because they are simpler to manufacture. They are also smaller and lighter than other types of PCBs, which makes them ideal for use in small devices such as cell phones and portable electronics. If you need a small, lightweight, and inexpensive PCB for your project, a single-layers board may be the perfect solution.

While there are some concerns that need to be addressed, the potential benefits of single-sided boards warrant further exploration. With continued research and development, these boards could become a viable solution for smaller devices and help reduce costs and environmental impact. Have you tried using a single circuit board in your project? Let us know how it went in the comments below.