What is ICT?
ICT is English (In-Circuit-Test), which is directly translated into Chinese as fully automatic test, but it should be more accurately called circuit test.
ICT is mainly used for charge detection of printed circuit boards (PCBA). It can be imagined as a high-end multimeter. It can test the charge of all parts on the motherboard through pinholes and whether there are open/short circuit faults in welding without removing electronic parts from the motherboard.
ICT test principle
The test principle of ICT is to use a needle bed to connect the test cases with better layout on the motherboard to achieve the test purpose. ICT must use pinholes to place the test cases widened by the contact feet of all parts to accurately measure resistance, capacitance and working voltage.
What are the key tests of ICT?
1. Short circuit faults, wrong parts, missing parts, vertical monuments, railway bridges, reversed positive and negative poles, etc.;
2. Measure resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, voltage regulator diodes, solenoid valves, ICs, RF connectors and other parts.
3. Electrical function test.
4. The role of testing active parts.
Advantages of ICT testing pcba circuit boards:
1. Fast test speed and short time
PCBA can perform L/C/R/D tests without power-on, which can effectively reduce the waiting time for test startup and reduce the accidental damage to the circuit board caused by short circuit faults
2. High-quality retestability
Controlled by a computer system, it greatly reduces the risk of misjudgment and missed tests, and reduces the troubles of the production line.
3. The cost of product maintenance is greatly reduced
Operators can undertake product maintenance work, effectively reducing labor costs. ICT can tell what is wrong with this part through a computer program,
4. Improve product quality
With only a certain test case, ICT can detect every power distribution line and component on the circuit board, which can improve product quality
Disadvantages of ICT testing:
1. The cost of ICT machines and fixtures is generally expensive, especially standard pneumatic steel fixtures, which are more suitable for many processed products.
2. When using ICT testing, it is necessary to design additional test cases on the motherboard for needle bed connection application. Reduce the usage rate of circuit board routing.
3. The needle bed must be maintained on time, and the probe must also be maintained regularly to ensure that it and the probe operate normally.
