Common Al Core Circuit Board Tests
The purpose of this blog is to provide testing processes for the Aluminum PCB in regards to Electrical Insulation. Visit our thermal management homepage for further aluminum mounted board specifications and samples.
Insulation Resistance (IR)
This test is used to provide a quantifiable resistance value for all of a product's insulation.
Dielectric Breakdown Strength Test
The test voltage is increased until the dielectric fails, or breaks down, allowing too much current to flow.
Dielectric Withstand Voltage Test (DWS) or High Potential Test (HiPot)
A standard test voltage is applied (below the established Breakdown Voltage) and the resulting leakage current is monitored.
Conductive Anodic Filament Test (CAF)
This test is used to determine the capability of the material for various design feature spacing under high humidity conditions with applied voltage 1.
Typical Proof Test (VDC) Proof Test or High Potential Test (HiPot)
A standard non-destructive test voltage is applied (below the established Breakdown voltage) and the resulting leakage current is monitored. The test is done to evaluate the integrity of the dielectric material.
Typical Proof Test (VDC) High Potential Dielectric Testing (HiPot)
This non-destructive testing methodology is used to characterize the laminate material insulation capability under a specified potential. Leakage current is measured and compared to predetermined limits Typical Test Conditions: 500-2500 Volts DC (VDC) Applied + 700-1200 Volts AC @50-60 Hz (VAC) Potential Up to 30 seconds 10 MΩ – 500 MΩ 10 μA – 100 μA -
Breakdown (kV AC) Voltage Test
Breakdown voltage is the stress at failure when AC at power frequency is applied using a rate of rise is 500 Volts/second. Breakdown voltage testing does not relate to proof stress “Proof Testing”. Breakdown voltage is the potential difference at which dielectric failure occurs under prescribed conditions in an electrical insulating aluminum PCB material located between two electrodes.
Breakdown (kV AC) Dielectric Breakdown Voltage
This testing methodology is used to characterize the laminate material insulation capability to failure. Applied + Typical Test Conditions: Potential Ramp Volts AC @50-60 Hz (VAC) until failure Example: Determine the electric strength in volts per mil for each specimen by dividing the breakdown voltage expressed in kilovolts by the thickness express in inches. - ES = (6.8 KV/.005 inch) X (1000 V/KV) X (1 inch/1000 mils) = 1360 v/mil
Permittivity (Dk)
Typical thermal management aluminum LED PCB materials are modified to have higher thermal conductivity. The modifications of the dielectric material raise the Dk of the material to the range of 6 or higher.
Click here for a sneak peak at the MCPCB Dielectric Electrical Insulation section of the LED PCB Design webinar.