Skip to main content
Better title
Link
Jonathan S.
  • 20.5k
  • 36
  • 61

What is the purpose of exposed copper on certain traces on this PCB?

PCB Layout: Exposed What is the purpose of exposed copper on certain traces on PCB?

Became Hot Network Question
Source Link
dpdwilson
  • 213
  • 1
  • 5

PCB Layout: Exposed copper on certain traces

I recently took apart a DeWalt battery charger. What is the purpose of this particular arrangement of exposed copper on certain traces (mostly on the right side of the image)? These are wide, high-current traces, so naturally I assume this is for heat dissipation, but is there a reason for making such exposed areas in narrow, parallel lines? My intuition is that it allows two things: (1) a more controlled flow of paste in the oven, and (2) less paste overall for only slightly decreased thermal area. Is this correct?

enter image description here