PCBA vs. PCB – The Difference

PCB stands for Printed Circuit Board – the bare board without components. It consists of:

• Base material: Usually FR4 (glass-reinforced epoxy resin)
• Copper layers: Traces for electrical connections
• Solder mask: Green (or other color) protective coating
• Silkscreen: Labels for component positions
• Drill holes: For THT components and vias

A PCB is the "bare" board – without electronic components. It is produced by specialized PCB manufacturers such as Eurocircuits or Multi-CB.

PCBA stands for Printed Circuit Board Assembly – the assembled board. During assembly, all electronic components are mounted onto the PCB:

• SMD components: Resistors, capacitors, ICs (on the surface)
• THT components: Connectors, relays, coils (through the board)
• Special components: Sensors, displays, antennas

A PCBA is the finished, functional product. Assembly is performed by EMS providers (Electronics Manufacturing Services) such as SMTEC AG.

Order just a PCB if:

• You perform the assembly yourself (e.g., prototypes in the lab)
• You only want to validate the board design
• You have a separate EMS partner

Order PCBA if:

• You need a finished, functional product
• You don't have your own assembly infrastructure
• You want to have series produced
• You want professional quality control (AOI, testing)

Recommendation: Most companies order PCBA as a complete service – from the bare board to the tested assembly from a single source.

• PCB = PCBA? No. PCB is just the board, PCBA is the assembled board.
• SMT = SMD? SMT (Surface Mount Technology) is the process, SMD (Surface Mount Device) is the component.
• EMS = OEM? EMS manufactures on behalf of others, OEM develops and sells under its own name.
• BOM = Gerber? BOM is the parts list, Gerber files are the manufacturing data for the PCB.