Test Bench: Fundamentals of PCB Testing

Taught by a certified industry expert and award-winning educator with 25+ years of experience in the field, this four-week program utilizes interactive webinars, on-demand recordings, and job-specific exercises to develop a solid grasp of the concepts necessary for success as a new electronics test technician. 

This course introduces foundational principles for understanding electrical systems and electronic hardware. Topics include basic DC and AC electrical theory, passive and semiconductor components, the use of basic test tools, and familiarity with common methods of inspection. 

  • Electrical Fundamentals: Ohm’s Law – Voltage, Current, Resistance, Power
  • DC & AC Circuits • Passive Components: Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors
  • Semiconductor Components: Diodes and Transistors
  • Basic Circuit Configurations: Series, Parallel, and Combined
  • Test Tools: Multimeter and Oscilloscope
  • Inspection Tools: Overview, Purpose, and Identification
Member Price
$300.00
Nonmember Price
$350.00
Access
12 Months From Enrollment
Class Schedule

  • Course Level: Introductory

  • Training Time

    4 weeks (8 two-hour online instructor-led sessions

  • Certificate of Completion

    Certificate of Completion

  • Seasonal Enrollment

    Access for 12 Months

Questions

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Download the Syllabus

All virtual class sessions are recorded for review. 

WEEK 1 – SAFETY AND BASIC ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
Program overview outlining class schedule and options for accessing class materials
and assignments. Class sessions focus on safety and electrical fundamentals.
Topics include:
• Electrical, chemical, and operational safety
• PPE and accessories
• Electrostatic discharge (ESD)
• Useful metaphors in electrical terminology
• Direct and alternating current
• Ohm’s Law: Predicting values in simple circuits
WEEK 2 – DC CIRCUIT CONFIGURATIONS AND TESTING
Class sessions concentrate on predicting values in various resistive DC circuits configurations and multimeter testing.
Topics include:
• Intro to schematics
• Series, parallel, and combination circuits
• Multimeter settings
• Continuity and short-circuit testing
WEEK 3 – AC CIRCUITS AND WAVEFORM ANALYSIS
Class sessions introduce additional components, AC circuits, waveforms, and oscilloscope use.
Topics include:
• More schematics & symbols
• Inductors and capacitors
• Magnetism and transformers
• Semiconductors: Diodes & various IC devices
• AC Waveforms
• Oscilloscope settings
WEEK 4 – INSPECTION & TEST TOOLS, REVIEW, AND FINAL EXAM
Class sessions familiarize students with various industry inspection tools and troubleshooting methods. Session 2 summarizes the course and reviews for the final exam.
Topics include:
• Physical component identification
• Visual & X-Ray inspection
• Testing (In-circuit, functional, burn-in)
FINAL EXAM:
• Complete the final exam after the last week of the course.
• Completion of the program with a score of 70% or higher on the final exam and/or final project is required to earn a certificate of completion.

This course is structured to quickly prepare new electronics test technicians with the core electrical knowledge and troubleshooting tools they need to get started.

Global Electronics Association offers different instructional modalities to suit participants with different needs and preferences. This program is only available in the following modality:


Online-instructor-led: Participants meet with an IPC-certified industry expert online twice weekly for the duration of the course. Class sessions are usually 1.5 to 2 hours long. Participants can also access a video recording of each class session on their course dashboard.

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