How can you design a circuit to resist vibration and shock?

2 Secure the components

The next step is to secure the components to the circuit board and to each other. You can use soldering, adhesives, screws, clips, or other methods to prevent the components from moving or detaching under vibration and shock. You should also avoid using long or thin leads, wires, or pins, as they can act as springs or antennas, amplifying the vibration or picking up noise. You can shorten or bend them to reduce their length and stiffness, or use shielded or twisted wires to reduce noise.

3 Design the layout

The layout of the circuit board is also important for resisting vibration and shock. You should avoid placing heavy or bulky components near the edges or corners of the board, as they can create stress concentrations or bending moments. You should also distribute the weight and size of the components evenly across the board, and avoid creating large gaps or holes that can weaken the structure. You should also use multiple vias and traces to connect the components, and avoid creating long or narrow traces that can crack or break.

4 Add protection

Another step is to add protection to the circuit, such as filters, decoupling capacitors, transient voltage suppressors, or fuses. These devices can help reduce the impact of electrical noise, spikes, or surges that can be caused by vibration or shock. They can also protect the circuit from overcurrent, overvoltage, or short circuits that can damage the components. You should place these devices close to the sources or loads of the noise or surge, and use adequate ratings and values for them.

5 Test the circuit

The final step is to test the circuit under realistic vibration and shock conditions. You can use a shaker table, a drop tester, or a shock machine to simulate the expected levels and frequencies of vibration and shock. You can also use a multimeter, an oscilloscope, or a logic analyzer to monitor the performance and functionality of the circuit. You should check for any signs of mechanical or electrical failure, such as loose connections, broken traces, cracked components, or erratic signals.