Doug, The definitions given in IPC-T-50E are as follows: "Printed Circuit Board (PCB) - A printed board that provides both point-to-point connections and printed components in a predetermined arrangement on a common base. (See also "Printed Wiring Board.")" "Printed Circuit Board Assembly - An assembly that uses a printed circuit board for component mounting and interconnecting purposes." "Printed Wiring Board (PWB) - A printed board that provides point-to-point connections, but not printed components, in a predetermined arrangement on a common base. (See also "Printed Circuit board.")" "Printed Wiring Board Assembly - An assembly that uses a printed wiring board for component mounting and interconnecting purposes." This is the set of definitions I refer to in my DFM presentations (from a board fabricator's perspective), i.e., a PCB can contain more than just point-to-point interconnections. I've interpreted the phrase 'printed components' to mean such things as: 1) tight tolerances on line widths and dielectric spacings to achieve specified (measured) impedance, inductance and resistance values; and, 2) embedded components such as resistive layers, capacitance cores, etched inductor coils, etc. Many of today's multilayer PCB's are indeed active components in a finished electronic assembly and no longer just passive PWB's. Dave Wolf HADCO Corp. ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: PWB and PCB??? Author: [log in to unmask] at SMTPLINK-HADCO Date: 10/21/96 12:29 PM At the IPC, we try to use PWB and PCB exactly as you have assumed. But, judging from the phone calls I get, the industry has not "standardized" on these terms. Kim Sterling Director, Market Research IPC Phone 847/509-9700 ext 305 FAX 847/509-9798 E-Mail [log in to unmask] On Mon, 21 Oct 1996, Doug McKean wrote: > Is there a difference between a > PWB - Printed Wiring board and > PCB - Printed Circuit Board > in the industry? > > Is it safe to assume (uh-oh) the PWB is the bare board and > the PCB is the PCB w/components, i.e. a PCB assembly? > > Does anyone out there make a strict division between the two this way? > > ******************************************************* > Doug McKean > [log in to unmask] > ------------------------------------------------------- > The comments and opinions stated herein are mine alone, > and do not reflect those of my employer. > ------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** * TechNet mail list is provided as a service by IPC using SmartList v3.05 * *************************************************************************** * To unsubscribe from this list at any time, send a message to: * * [log in to unmask] with <subject: unsubscribe> and no text. * ***************************************************************************