Mike, Here's my two cents: Backpanel - anything covering the back of a unit; either a circuit board or a chassis assy or just an aluminum (or for you Brits, aluminium) cover. Backplane - A (typically) large circuit board whose main purpose is to provide the interconnection wiring amongst plug in circuit boards, I/O connectors, etc. A backplane usually contains only connectors and possibly some passive components such capacitors and resistors. Motherboard - The central circuit board in a unit. This board usually contains large numbers of active and passive components, has connectors for plug-in cards, and possibly I/O connectors. Think of the motherboard in a home computer as an example. CPU - Any assy containing the cpu (central processing unit). This could be the motherboard (again, as in a home computer) or simply a subassy or plug-in. -MH > -----Original Message----- > From: Darrel Therriault [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2001 9:49 AM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [TN] backplane or backpanel > > > Michael, > > From memory, the early 60-70's seemed to call it backpanel, then it > switched > to backplane > somewhere in the 80's. I'm not sure if there was an event that caused it > or > a definition. > > I use backplane today as a preference, although I still think they are one > and the same. > > I have the same problem with PCB/PCA or PWB/PWA. Maybe you can add that > to > your survey. > > I would like to see your tally when this is done. > > BTW, I'm in Oregon. > > DT > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: michael [mailto:[log in to unmask]] > Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2001 11:44 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: [TN] backplane or backpanel > > > Not exactly _Tech_Net material, but... > > I was asked recently: "Is it backplane or backpanel?" My answer was "Yes, > it > is." -- as far as I can tell, both are correct. > > But in the interests of giving a more definitive answer, I'd like to take > a > spot > poll of TechNetters. Please let me know which you think is correct (if > either), > or preferable (if neither). > > It would also really help if you could indicate what country you're in, as > I'd > also like to see whether there are regional differences. > > Anyone who's interested in the results, please just say, and I'll send you > a > copy. > > Do I have too much free time? (Answer not required.) > > Thanks. > > Michael Fennema > Uni-Circuit Inc. > > --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt delivery of Technet send the following message: SET Technet NOMAIL Search previous postings at: www.ipc.org > On-Line Resources & Databases > E-mail Archives Please visit IPC web site (http://www.ipc.org/html/forum.htm) for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.5315 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------