Physics, Electrical Engineering, and PCB Design

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

When I was a sophomore in college, I had an amazing professor for Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism. He made a series of complex topics fun to learn, and his personality and way of teaching were almost tailor-made for the way I like to learn. He explained new concepts through practical examples, and always kept students engaged throughout the class, making sure everyone understood the lectures. Physics II was an engineering prerequisite, and I didn’t mind taking the class since I really enjoyed the material. However, I did find myself wondering a few times, “Will I ever use any physics in real life?”

It turns out that the answer to the question was yes. Through the rest of my undergrad and my master’s program, I have used physics more than just occasionally. To put it plainly, physics is essentially the study of how everything works, and it is everywhere around us. Without realizing it, we use physics while doing simple tasks around the house. The laws of physics describe everything around us, from opening a jar, using our phones, and ironing clothes, all the way to understanding how the human body works, driving a car, natural disasters, and electronics manufacturing.

Electrical engineers use the laws of physics and mathematics to convert electrical energy and power into a circuit, device, or system. Whether it’s semiconductors, circuit design, power distribution, grounding, or shielding, physics is woven through electrical design, and it helps solve complex problems even when we don’t realize it.

Any circuit board design is a process. In my job, the very first step in PCB design is board planning with mechanical engineers. There is usually a specific industrial design that is established as baseline, and we have to work around that when incorporating mechanics and electronics. We discuss critical components and parts, their size and potential location, and we make decisions on where they could be placed, as well as how specific features of the product can be implemented and executed. We also have to ensure that board shape and size can house all the components and circuits that need to be implemented. In the meantime, I start working on board schematics and design validation.

Physical strain on the PCB is another aspect of my job that involves physics. Engineers must select the optimal location for mounting and locator holes on the board. Mechanical engineers perform simulations to make sure that they aren’t putting unnecessary strain on the board and ensure the board doesn’t get damaged during assembly into the product. Once mounting hole locations are identified and the schematic is completed, an electrical/layout engineer can start working on layout.

To read this entire article, which appeared in the November 2022 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.