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PCB power design rules are a very important topic as it relates to board reliability and performance. In PCB design, power supply design is crucial as it provides the required power to the entire circuit.

If the power supply is poorly designed, it can cause the devices on the circuit board to malfunction, degrade in performance, or not work at all. Therefore, it is very important to follow some basic PCB power supply design rules.

Here are some key PCB power supply design rules and considerations:

1. Determine Power Requirements: First, you need to determine the voltage and current required by each component on the board. This can be done by consulting the data sheet for each component. Understanding the power requirements of each component can help you determine the overall power capacity required for your board.
2. Select the appropriate power rail: Select the appropriate power rail based on the power requirements of each component. Typically, the voltage and current capabilities of the power rails should be sufficient for all components on the board. When choosing a power rail, also consider future expansion and ensure there is sufficient headroom.
3. Layout Power Distribution: During the layout stage, consideration should be given to how to most efficiently distribute power throughout the board. This includes determining appropriate power entry points, power bus width, number of power planes, and placement of decoupling capacitors.
4. Use decoupling capacitors: Decoupling capacitors can absorb and buffer voltage fluctuations and noise in the circuit, helping to improve circuit performance. Place a decoupling capacitor between each IC’s power and ground, making sure the capacitor is as close as possible to the IC’s power pins.
5. Consider power bus width: Adjust the width of the power bus appropriately based on the current capacity and expected voltage drop. If the bus width is insufficient, overheating and voltage drop issues may result.
6. Use multi-layer PCB: Multi-layer PCB can provide more power layers and signal layers, which is beneficial to optimizing power distribution and improving signal integrity. Try to place the power and ground layers on adjacent layers to reduce noise and electromagnetic interference.
7. Follow safety regulations: Ensure that the power supply design complies with relevant national and international safety and electromagnetic compatibility standards. For example, ensure good grounding, compliance with maximum voltage drop limits, etc.
8. Perform simulation and testing: Use simulation tools (such as SPICE or HFSS) to simulate the electrical performance of the PCB to predict actual performance and optimize the design. It is also very important to conduct prototype testing before manufacturing to ensure that actual performance is as expected.
9. Consider thermal design: Power supply equipment will generate heat during operation, so thermal design rules need to be considered to prevent equipment failure or performance degradation caused by excessive temperature. This may involve appropriate cooling measures such as heat sinks or fans.
10. Documentation and Standardization: During the design process, always maintain complete records of all design decisions, schematics, layout, and routing. This will help maintain the maintainability and readability of the board, while also helping standardize and reduce errors.
11. Redundancy and Fault Protection: Consider designing redundant power supplies and fault protection functions to improve system reliability and stability. For example, backup power or overcurrent protection features can be used to deal with power failure or overload conditions.
12. Layout and Routing Considerations: During the layout and routing stage, special attention should be paid to the width, length, and bending radius of the power cord. Wider power wires reduce resistance and increase current capacity, while shorter wires and proper bend radii reduce signal delays and electromagnetic interference.
13. Use Proper Impedance and Inductance: When selecting and using capacitors, resistors, and inductors, consider their impact on your power supply design. The impedance and inductive reactance of these components will affect the current waveform and voltage drop, so they should be selected and used appropriately.
14. Consider power integrity: Power integrity refers to the quality and stability of the power signal on the circuit board. To ensure power integrity, proper decoupling techniques, bypass capacitors, ground planes, etc. should be considered to reduce noise and interference.
15. Adhere to PCB Manufacturing Limitations: Different PCB manufacturers may have different process limitations and specifications, so the specific requirements and recommendations of the selected manufacturer should be adhered to. This includes restrictions on minimum line width, minimum spacing, number of layers, etc.
16. Power and Ground Planes: Try to use complete power and ground planes, especially in multi-layer PCBs. This can reduce the inductance and impedance of the power supply and ground, improving the stability and efficiency of the power supply.
17. Decoupling capacitor selection: Select a decoupling capacitor of appropriate capacity and type. Generally speaking, capacitors with low ESR (equivalent series resistance) and low ESL (equivalent series inductance) are suitable for high-frequency noise suppression.
18. Power and ground grid: Establishing a regular power and ground grid on the PCB can provide a stable reference plane and improve signal integrity.
19. Power Inlet: Make sure the power inlet has adequate overcurrent capacity and consider using a fuse or circuit breaker to protect the circuit board.
20. Power Management Unit (PMU): If using a separate power management unit, make sure it can meet the needs of all power rails and pay attention to layout and thermal design.
21. PCB material selection: Select the appropriate PCB material according to application requirements. For example, materials with high thermal conductivity are suitable for high-power applications, while low-cost materials are suitable for low-cost needs.
22. Isolation of power and signals: When necessary, ensure isolation between power and signals to reduce noise and interference.
23. Redundant Power Supply Design: Consider using redundant power supplies to provide backup power in the event of a primary power failure.
24. Power supply design verification: After completing the design, simulation and testing are performed to verify the effectiveness of the power supply design. This includes measuring parameters such as voltage, current and power consumption.
25. Maintainability and Readability: Consider maintainability and readability during the design process to facilitate future maintenance and upgrades. For example, use standard interfaces and markup, and use detailed documentation.
26. Safety Certification: If the product requires safety certification, ensure that relevant standards and regulations are followed. This may involve requirements for materials, flame retardancy, electromagnetic compatibility, etc.
27. Green Power Supply Design: Where possible, consider using environmentally friendly materials and energy-saving technologies to reduce environmental impact.
28. Continuous learning and updating: PCB power design is a field that is constantly developing and changing. Keep learning and staying current on the latest technology and best practices to stay competitive.

In conclusion, PCB power supply design is a multifaceted subject involving multiple factors and rules. Electrical performance, reliability, cost, manufacturing constraints, and other requirements should be considered when designing. By following the above rules and recommendations, an efficient, reliable and compliant PCB power system can be designed.