In electronics, PWA stands for Printed Wiring Assembly.
According to the reference from October 16, 2017, a PWA is a printed wiring assembly. This term is commonly used to describe a PWB (Printed Wiring Board) after all of its electrical components are attached and wired together. Essentially, it's the completed board ready for use in an electronic device.
Understanding PWA
Think of it in stages:
- PWB (Printed Wiring Board): This is the bare board, typically made of fiberglass, with conductive pathways (like copper traces) printed on it. It's the foundation but has no components yet.
- PWA (Printed Wiring Assembly): This is the same PWB, but now populated with components like resistors, capacitors, integrated circuits (ICs), connectors, etc., which are soldered onto the board and connected via the wiring pathways.
Therefore, a PWA is the functional electronic circuit board assembly.
PWA vs. PWB
The distinction between PWB and PWA is simple but important in manufacturing and terminology:
| Term | Full Name | State | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PWB | Printed Wiring Board | Bare board, no components | The base board with conductive traces for wiring. Also known as PCB. |
| PWA | Printed Wiring Assembly | Assembled board, components attached | The PWB after electrical components have been mounted and wired onto it. |
Why the Terminology Matters
Using the correct term, PWB or PWA, is important in manufacturing, inventory management, and technical documentation. It clearly indicates whether you are referring to a bare board awaiting components or a fully assembled board ready for integration into a larger system.
[Electronics Terminology]
