{"id":1110,"date":"2026-01-19T06:39:15","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T06:39:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/?p=1110"},"modified":"2026-01-19T06:39:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T06:39:16","slug":"what-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-pcb-delivery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/what-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-pcb-delivery\/","title":{"rendered":"What functional tests should require as part of PCB delivery?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h2>Table of Contents<\/h2><nav><ul><li><a href=\"#pcb-delivery-vs-pcba-delivery\">PCB delivery vs PCBA delivery<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#functional-test-fct-\">Functional test (FCT)<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#what-fct-should-cover\">What FCT should cover<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fct-deliverables-you-should-request\">FCT deliverables you should request<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#aoi-and-x-ray-inspection\">AOI and X-ray inspection<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#ict-and-flying-probe-test\">ICT and flying probe test<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#fct-does-not-replace-aoi-ict\">FCT does not replace AOI\/ICT<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#design-for-test-dft-\">Design for test (DFT)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#acceptance-criteria-and-test-reports\">Acceptance criteria and test reports<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#functional-tests-to-require-as-part-of-pcb-delivery\">Functional tests to require as part of PCB delivery<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#typical-functional-test-scenarios\">Typical functional test scenarios<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#a-simple-buyer-checklist\">A simple buyer checklist<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever unboxed a \u201cfinished\u201d PCB delivery, plugged it in, and watched nothing happen, you already know the problem:&nbsp;<strong>a board can \u201cpass inspection\u201d and still fail your product.<\/strong>&nbsp;That\u2019s why smart OEMs, EMS teams, and design houses don\u2019t just ask for \u201ctesting.\u201d They ask for the&nbsp;<em>right<\/em>&nbsp;tests, plus the proof that those tests actually ran.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This guide fits China B2B buyers who do custom builds, wholesale batches, and OEM\/ODM. It also works for NPI ramps (EVT\/DVT\/PVT) and steady mass production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-2-1.jpg\" alt=\"What functional tests should require as part of PCB delivery\" class=\"wp-image-1116\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-2-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-2-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-2-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-2-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"pcb-delivery-vs-pcba-delivery\">PCB delivery vs PCBA delivery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Start here, or you\u2019ll argue in circles later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>PCB (bare board) delivery<\/strong>\u00a0means copper and laminate. You can\u2019t run real \u201cfunctional tests\u201d because there are no parts to power up.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>PCBA (assembled board) delivery<\/strong>\u00a0means components are mounted. Now you\u00a0<em>can<\/em>\u00a0require\u00a0<strong>functional test (FCT)<\/strong>\u00a0that powers the board and checks behavior.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If your PO says \u201cPCB\u201d but you expect \u201cboard boots firmware,\u201d you\u2019re setting up a field-fail surprise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can see the service split clearly on our site:&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/services\/pcb-fabrication\/\">PCB Fabrication<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;vs&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/services\/pcb-assembly\/\">PCB Assembly<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"functional-test-fct-\">Functional test (FCT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>FCT<\/strong>&nbsp;answers one question:&nbsp;<em>Does this board work like it will in real life?<\/em>&nbsp;Not \u201care the nets connected,\u201d but \u201cdoes the product do the job.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-fct-should-cover\">What FCT should cover<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A practical FCT plan usually checks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Power-up sequence<\/strong>: inrush, rails stable, brownout behavior, reset timing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boot and firmware<\/strong>: bootloader, version readback, watchdog, basic self-test<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>I\/O and interfaces<\/strong>: USB, UART, CAN, Ethernet, RS232, GPIO, ADC\/DAC<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Output behavior under load<\/strong>: relays, motors, LEDs, speakers, heaters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Safety trip points<\/strong>: overcurrent\/overtemp flags, shutdown, fault latching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Golden unit comparison<\/strong>: compare key measurements against a \u201cgolden board\u201d baseline<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s the part buyers forget:&nbsp;<strong>FCT needs a test spec.<\/strong>&nbsp;If you don\u2019t define stimulus + expected result, the factory can only give you a vague \u201cPASS.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fct-deliverables-you-should-request\">FCT deliverables you should request<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ask for more than pass\/fail:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Test procedure (steps + setup)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test limits (thresholds, tolerances, timing windows)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unit log (serial number + result)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Failure record (what failed, where, and how it was confirmed)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>That bundle makes your dock-to-stock smoother and makes RMAs less painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aoi-and-x-ray-inspection\">AOI and X-ray inspection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>FCT is not your first line of defense. You want to catch dumb mistakes before you power anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>AOI (Automated Optical Inspection)<\/strong>\u00a0catches wrong part, missing part, polarity flips, tombstoning, solder bridges\u2014your classic SMT headaches.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>X-ray inspection<\/strong>\u00a0matters when joints hide under the part (BGA\/QFN). If you ship without X-ray on those packages, you\u2019re betting your schedule on luck.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In real builds, AOI\/X-ray protects your yield. FCT protects your customer experience. You need both when the design is dense or the volume is high.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If your build involves fine pitch, HDI, or tight layouts, it\u2019s worth aligning early with the factory\u2019s&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/capabilities\/\">Capabilities<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;page so your test approach matches the process window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"What functional tests should require as part of PCB delivery\" class=\"wp-image-1115\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-1-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-1-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-1-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"ict-and-flying-probe-test\">ICT and flying probe test<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the \u201cmanufacturing truth serum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>ICT (In-Circuit Test)<\/strong>\u00a0uses a bed-of-nails fixture to test components and nets fast. Great for stable, repeat runs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flying probe test<\/strong>\u00a0avoids custom fixtures and works well in prototypes and low-to-mid volumes. It\u2019s slower, but it gets you coverage without tooling delays.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A clean strategy looks like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prototype \/ NPI<\/strong>: flying probe + a lighter FCT (focus on core functions)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mass production<\/strong>: ICT (or boundary scan\/JTAG where it fits) + full FCT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fct-does-not-replace-aoi-ict\">FCT does not replace AOI\/ICT<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This point saves a lot of teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you only run FCT, you can still ship boards with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>marginal solder joints that \u201cwork today\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>swapped passives that slip through a light functional check<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>intermittent opens that appear after vibration or thermal cycling<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>AOI\/ICT\/Flying probe catch&nbsp;<em>manufacturing defects.<\/em>&nbsp;FCT validates&nbsp;<em>system behavior.<\/em>&nbsp;Put them together and you stop playing whack-a-mole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-3-1.jpg\" alt=\"What functional tests should require as part of PCB delivery\" class=\"wp-image-1114\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-3-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-3-1-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-3-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/What-functional-tests-should-require-as-part-of-PCB-delivery-3-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"design-for-test-dft-\">Design for test (DFT)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want reliable testing, your layout has to cooperate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DFT means you plan for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>test points<\/strong>\u00a0on critical nets (power rails, resets, key buses)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>access<\/strong>\u00a0for bed-of-nails probes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>programming headers<\/strong>\u00a0or pads (SWD\/JTAG\/UART)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>clear reference points<\/strong>\u00a0for automated measurement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>built-in self-test hooks<\/strong>\u00a0in firmware (simple command set = faster FCT)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>A board with zero test access forces the factory into hand probing and \u201cbest effort.\u201d That\u2019s how schedules slip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"acceptance-criteria-and-test-reports\">Acceptance criteria and test reports<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Buyers often say \u201csend a test report,\u201d but they don\u2019t define what that means. Here\u2019s a clean way to write acceptance:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>For PCB (bare board)<\/strong>: require electrical test (opens\/shorts) + dimensional checks + any impedance verification you specified in the build notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For PCBA<\/strong>: require AOI (and X-ray where needed) + ICT or flying probe (when appropriate) + FCT with documented limits and logs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want a single place to route these requirements internally, link your team to&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/quality\/\">Quality<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;so purchasing, engineering, and your supplier all speak the same language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"functional-tests-to-require-as-part-of-pcb-delivery\">Functional tests to require as part of PCB delivery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a buyer-friendly table you can copy into a PO or SOW. It avoids fluff and tells the factory exactly what \u201cdone\u201d looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Test \/ deliverable<\/th><th>PCB (bare board)<\/th><th>PCBA (assembled board)<\/th><th>What it protects you from<\/th><th>Evidence you should request<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Electrical test (opens\/shorts)<\/td><td>\u221a<\/td><td>\u221a (as part of ICT\/flying probe coverage)<\/td><td>dead nets, shorts, hidden scrap<\/td><td>test summary + lot trace<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Dimensional checks<\/td><td>\u221a<\/td><td>\u221a<\/td><td>fit issues, connector misalignment<\/td><td>measurement record<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>AOI<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>\u221a<\/td><td>wrong\/missing parts, polarity, solder bridges<\/td><td>AOI result + defect images<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>X-ray inspection<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>\u221a (BGA\/QFN)<\/td><td>voids, head-in-pillow, hidden solder fails<\/td><td>X-ray images + checklist<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Flying probe test<\/td><td>(common in prototype)<\/td><td>\u221a(low-mid volume)<\/td><td>early build escapes without fixtures<\/td><td>coverage statement + results<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>ICT (bed-of-nails)<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>(repeat volume)<\/td><td>systematic assembly faults<\/td><td>coverage + yield trend<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Functional test (FCT)<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>(required for \u201cworks in product\u201d)<\/td><td>\u201cpasses inspection but doesn\u2019t work\u201d<\/td><td>limits + serial logs + failure record<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Firmware programming &amp; ID<\/td><td>\u2014<\/td><td>(if firmware applies)<\/td><td>wrong build, wrong version in field<\/td><td>version readback + SN mapping<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"typical-functional-test-scenarios\">Typical functional test scenarios<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few real-world FCT \u201cmust-haves\u201d that match common buyer pain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Motor control board (industrial \/ robotics)<\/strong>: spin test, current sensing sanity, fault injection, safe stop. If you\u2019re building a control panel style board, a related product example lives here:\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/multilayer-motor-control-pcb-panel-with-power-circuit-b2b\/\">multilayer motor control PCB<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-frequency \/ RF board<\/strong>: impedance-critical checks plus a basic RF path sanity check (at minimum, power rails + interface + config). See:\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/oem-rogers-4003-rf-pcb-supplier-for-b2b-high-frequency-apps\/\">Rogers 4003 RF PCB<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Automotive-oriented control assemblies<\/strong>: traceability, tighter process discipline, and test logs that map serial numbers to results. A relevant internal page:\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/iatf16949-oem-control-pcb-assembly-manufacturer-electronics\/\">IATF16949 control PCB assembly<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fast prototype builds<\/strong>: keep FCT lean\u2014power + boot + key I\/O\u2014then expand coverage as you move from EVT to DVT. For quick-turn prototypes, this page is a good anchor:\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/b2b-custom-pcb-board-prototype-manufacturing-service-factory\/\">PCB prototype manufacturing service<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"a-simple-buyer-checklist\">A simple buyer checklist<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you place the order, make sure your team can answer these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Is this\u00a0<strong>PCB<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>PCBA<\/strong>\u00a0delivery?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What does \u201cworks\u201d mean in one sentence (boot, communicate, drive load, measure sensor)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Which tests run 100% and which run by sampling?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What proof do you need per unit (logs) vs per lot (summary)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who owns the FCT fixture, firmware, and golden unit?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want an easy next step, point new buyers to our&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/\">homepage<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;to route them to fabrication, assembly, and quality expectations in one place.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Know which functional tests to require for PCB\/PCBA delivery\u2014FCT, AOI, ICT, X-ray, and reports\u2014so boards arrive ready to power up and ship.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1116,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[616,766,763,765,762,764],"class_list":["post-1110","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-trends","tag-aoi-inspection","tag-design-for-test-dft","tag-functional-test-fct","tag-ict-testing","tag-pcb-delivery","tag-pcba-testing"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1110","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1110"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1110\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1118,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1110\/revisions\/1118"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1116"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1110"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1110"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/template01.zehannet.net\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1110"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}