A tool designed to determine the maximum safe current carrying capacity of vias in printed circuit boards considers factors like via dimensions, plating thickness, and ambient temperature. For instance, an engineer might use such a tool to ensure a via connecting a power supply to an integrated circuit can handle the expected current without overheating.
Accurate current capacity assessment is crucial for PCB reliability. Overloaded vias can lead to thermal failure, board delamination, and ultimately, product malfunction. This type of analysis has become increasingly important with the trend towards miniaturization and higher power densities in modern electronics. Historically, simpler estimations were often sufficient, but the complexity of current designs necessitates more precise calculations.
