PCB International - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are your standard specifications (rigid PCB)?

A: Industry standard specifications (see below) will be assumed unless otherwise noted by the customer. Please include all non-standard specs in Gerber data, Fab notes, PDF files etc.

Material:	RoHS Compliant FR4 (TG140)
Thickness:	0.062" (1.6mm)
Copper Plate:	1.0 oz (Outer/Inner)
Minimum Trace/Space:	Down to 5/5 mils
Minimum Hole Size:	12 mil
Final Plating Finish:	Lead Free Solder (HASL)
Electrical Test:	Flying Probe (Prototype) / Bed of Nails (Production)
Solder Mask:	2 Sides LPI Mask (Green)
Legend:	2 sides (White)
Quality Standard:	ISO; IPC Class II
Irregular Shaped Board:	Okay
Compliance Marks:	Available Upon Request

Business Hours?

A: Operating hours are between 8am-5pm (PST) Monday through Friday. We frequently offer email support during off-hours and will try to get to your inquiry as soon as we are able to.

What is the order cut off time?

A: 5 PM (PST).

I want to send my gerber for a custom quote. Can it be quoted during off hours?

A:Yes. Custom quotes that come in after business hours will be answered in the order received (our phone line will not be available during these times). Keep in mind, our automated quote engine are available for quote and order 24/7/365.

What file formats are accepted for bare board PCB fabrication?

A:Gerber formats RS274X and RS274D are preferred. The Gerber RS274D format will require a separate aperture list for each file. Depending on the complexity, we may also accept design files in ODB++ and DWG file formats.

Can I have multiple orders shipped in one package?

A:Yes. Shipping multiple orders in one package will reduce your shipping costs. When placing your order through a sales rep, they'll automatically do their best to combine shipments when possible.

What countries do you serve?

A:PCB International serves a worldwide customer base. Besides the United States, our major export markets include (but are not limited to): Canada, Europe, Australia, South America, etc. Basically, we can serve where major shipping couriers deliver.

What quality certifications do you possess?

A:PCB International is ISO9001-2000 certified, UL certified, and ROHS compliant. In addtion, all of our PCBs are manufactured within IPC Class-II criterion (Class-III available upon request).

What is ROHS?

A: The ROHS directive restricts the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (the RoHS Regulations). These Regulations implement EU Directive 2002/95 which bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. More information can be found here.

What is PCB International's ROHS policy?

A: PCB International is ROHS compliant. We feel protecting the environment is paramount and will gladly manufacturer your boards within the ROHS guidelines. In fact, we made it our corporate policy to offer HASL free finish as a standard spec with no extra charge and have made our other ROHS compliant surface finishes as affordable as possible.

What is IPC Class-II?

A: This class consists of communication equipment, sophisticated business machines, and instruments for which high performance and extended life are required, and for which uninterrupted service is desired but is not critical. PCB International fabricates at a minimum Class-II printed circuit boards and can manufacture Class-III upon request.

What is IPC Class-III and why would I need it?

A: Class-III boards should be used for equipment and products for which continued performance or performance on demand is critical. Equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, and the equipment must function when required (e.g., life support systems, flight control systems). PCBs in this class are suitable for applications in which high levels of assistance are required and service is essential.

Can I cancel my order?

A: Please contact us immediately. Charges may apply and will be dependant on how far the order has progressed in the tooling/fabrication process. We will make our best effort to minimize the cost for our customers.

What is your E-test policy?

A: Every board produced with PCB international is E-tested to eliminate shorts and ensure functionality.

How do I track my order?

A: Your sales representative will provide tracking once your order has shipped.

What is your producy liability policy?

A: The liability of PCB International, LLC (seller) with respect to the service covered by the issued invoice shall in no event exceed the amount of the invoice. Furthermore, PCB International, LLC will not be held liable for monetary losses of any variety, including (but not limited to): components, assembly, labor, missed deadlines etc. Seller terms and conditions are deemed incorporated into any PO of buyer.

Do you provide a warranty?

A: Yes. We provide a 45 day limited warranty from delivery date again defects under normal usage. If the mistake is ours, we will provide replacement boards free of charge.

What are my payment options?

A: For immediate order placement, all major credit cards or Paypal are accepted.

Net (15, 30, 45, 60) accounts are available to qualifying companies after your application has been approved and processed. To apply for a Net 30 account, please fill out our Application Form and return it to us by email or fax.

How do I count the lead time?

A: The lead time schedule is as follows:

3 Day Lead Time
Order Date	Ship Date
Monday	Thursday
Tuesday	Friday
Wednesday	Next Monday
Thursday	Next Tuesday
Friday	Next Wednesday

4 Day Lead Time
Order Date	Ship Date
Monday	Friday
Tuesday	Next Monday
Wednesday	Next Tuesday
Thursday	Next Wednesday
Friday	Next Thursday

5 Day Lead Time
Order Date	Ship Date
Monday	Next Monday
Tuesday	Next Tuesday
Wednesday	Next Wednesday
Thursday	Next Thursday
Friday	Next Friday