CapeCAD
New Member
Hello CapeCAD,
I've seen this before on boards before but I never knew what the purpose was. I still don't actually. The feature is available in the PCB layout software I use (PCB Artist). Would you be able to explain how cooper fill areas affect the performance or help the pcb? Is it standard practice to use copper fill areas on the signal planes?
Amir
If you ask any PCB vendor they will want this on all layers of every board. When you avoid having large open areas with etched copper the board does not have to be etched as long, there is less compensation required, there is less chance of voids in the inner layer pre-preg, and less pre-preg is needed to fill in large voids.
You will mostly see this used with power supplies and loads but any board would benefit in one or all of the following:
Electrically the poured copper provides shielding around the noisy traces.
Mechanically the poured copper helps keep the board from warping - especially during reflow - and reduces the chance of over or under etched traces due to compensation.
Thermally the extra copper helps to dissipate the heat, even if it is not connected to the hot traces. This becomes noticable when viewed with a thermal imaging camera.