Usually, we discover many different types of markings on PCB or other electronic products. For example, the FCC, CE, garbage can labels on the Atmel demo board, and RoHS and RU labels on the NXP demo board. Knowing what those markings mean is beneficial for us to make better decisions when selecting a PCB manufacturer and its product quality. In this article, we are going to share some PCB markings and PCB certifications that commonly appear in PCB.
Types of markings
Anti-static marking
Anti-staticmarking is an indispensable part of the anti-static control system. This marking clearly indicates products, or packaging related to static electricity, reminding staff to pay attention to the harmfulness of static electricity.
Generally, it is pasted on the equipment used in the workshop, the outer packaging of the product, the casing of the equipment, or the place where anti-static is required.
WEE marking
We can discover that there is a garbage can symbol on the board. In the European Union, this symbol indicates that when the user intends to discard this product, it must be taken to an required facility for recovery and recycling.
Certifications
Certifications in China
- CCC
The 3C mark is not a quality mark, but the most basic safety certification, which is to protect consumers’ personal safety and national security. The three-in-one “CCC” authoritative certification is an advanced symbol of China’s general administration of quality supervision, inspection, and quarantine and the national certification and accreditation administration.
CCC certification includes the China Commission for Conformity Certification of Electrical Equipment (CCEE), import safety and quality licensing system (CCIB), and China Electromagnetic Compatibility Certification (EMC).
At present, the first batch of products announced by China that must pass the compulsory certification has a total of 132 products in 19 categories. It mainly includes wires and cables, low-voltage electrical appliances, information technology equipment, safety glass, fire protection products, motor vehicle tires, latex products, etc.
2. CQC certification
China Quality Certification Center, a voluntary product certification business carried out by China Quality Certification Center. China has implemented a national compulsory certification system (CCC certification) since May 1, 2002. Compulsory product certification is implemented for products listed in the CCC catalog. If certification is required for products not listed in the catalog, voluntary product certification can be adopted. That is called CQC certification.
CQC certification has two meanings. One is that the issuing agency is CQC (China Quality Certification Center). In general, it should be noted that most 3C certificates are also issued by CQC. The other is that it is different from CCC compulsory certification and is a voluntary certification. That is to say, there is no mandatory requirement at the level of national laws and regulations, and it is a voluntary certification behavior carried out by enterprises.
3. SRRC certification
SRRC is a mandatory certification requirement of the National Radio Regulatory Commission. Since June 1, 1999, China’s Ministry of Information Industry (MII) has mandated that all radio component products sold and used in China must obtain radio model numbers and radio type approval certification.
Certification in globa
1. CB Certification (International Electrotechnical CB Certification)
The system is a mutual recognition platform for electrical product test results established by the International Electrotechnical Commission Electrical Equipment and Components Conformity Assessment System Organization (IECEE). It is also a multilateral agreement between member states and certification organizations. Enterprises can use a certification body to issue The CB test certificate and report obtained the national certification of other CB member countries. So far, more than 50 countries have joined the CB system.
Certifications in North America
UL certification
UL is the abbreviation of Underwriter Laboratories Inc., and is one of the most reliable conformity assessment providers for manufacturers.
UL Safety Testing Institute is the most authoritative in the United States and the largest non-governmental organization engaged in safety testing and appraisal in the world. UL is mainly engaged in product safety certification and business safety certification business. Its ultimate goal is to obtain products with a certain level of safety for the market and contribute to the guarantee of personal health and property safety.
As far as product safety certification is an effective means to eliminate technical barriers to international trade, UL also plays an active role in promoting the development of international trade. In the United States, for consumers, UL is a symbol of safety signs, and UL is one of the most trusted conformity assessment providers for manufacturers. Furthermore, the UL certification marking is marked as ” RU” which can commonly see on circuit boards.
NXP’s demo board has a string of letters “**RU94V-0 HF PbF **”, what does this mean?
In fact, this is a kind of flame retardant grade in RU/UL certification, and the flame retardant grade is gradually increased from HB, V-2, V-1 to V-0:
1. HB: The lowest flame retardant grade in the UL94 standard.
2. V-2: After two 10-second combustion tests on the sample, the flame goes out within 30 seconds. it can ignite cotton wool below 30cm.
3. V-1: After two 10-second combustion tests on the sample, the flame goes out within 30 seconds. The cotton wool below 30cm cannot be ignited.
4. V-0: After two 10-second combustion tests on the sample, the flame goes out within 10 seconds. There must be no burning objects falling.
HF: It indicates that the product does not contain halogen. Specifically, the chlorine content in the product is <900ppm, the bromine content is <900ppm, and the chlorine + bromine content is not more than 1500ppm.
PbF: It indicates that the product is lead-free. That is, the lead content is below 1000 ppm.
- ETL certification
It is a certification required for products exported to the United States and Canada. The ETL mark indicates that the product has passed the accreditation test of NRTL in the United States and SCC in Canada. Intertek is one of the few certification bodies recognized by OSHA and SCC. The ETL mark has the same effect as the UL or CSA mark and meets the relevant safety standards.
• FCC certification
The US Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communication.FCC) is an agency authorized by the US government to manage radio, communication and digital equipment.
The Federal Communications Commission (Federal Communication.FCC) is an agency authorized by the U.S. government to manage radio, communications and digital equipment. It manages the import and use of radio frequency devices, including computers, fax machines, electronic devices, radio-receiving and transmission equipment, and radio-controlled toys, telephones, personal computers, and other products that may harm the safety of persons; harmonize domestic and international languages by controlling radio, television, telecommunications, satellite, and cable, and implement controls on equipment in this area.
• IC certification
IC is the abbreviation of the Canadian Ministry of Industry, which is the testing standard for analog and digital terminal equipment stipulated by the Canadian Ministry of Industry.
The standard of IC certification is basically the same as that of FCC, and IC currently only limits electromagnetic interference. Industry Canada is responsible for the certification of electronic and electrical products entering the Canadian market and stipulates that imported electronic products must pass the relevant EMC certification. The products it is responsible for are roughly radio and television equipment, information technology equipment, radio equipment, telecommunication equipment, engineering and medical equipment, etc. Similar to the US FCC, IC is currently limited to electromagnetic interference.
Conclusion
After reading this article, I believe you know something about the markings on PCB and PCB certifications. However, there still have assorted markings on circuit boards. IBE, with more than 17 years of experience in PCB manufacturing, offers assorted services on different types of PCBs and SMT services.
