Heavy Copper PCB Fabrication
PCB Fabrication Company provides heavy copper PCB fabrication for high-current, high-power, and heat-dissipation applications. We support prototype PCB and production PCB orders for power supplies, industrial controls, battery systems, EV chargers, solar inverters, motor controllers, and other printed circuit board manufacturing applications.
What Is a Heavy Copper PCB?
A Heavy Copper PCB, also called a Thick Copper PCB, is a printed circuit board manufactured with thicker copper than a standard PCB. Standard PCB copper thickness is commonly 1 oz or 2 oz, while heavy copper PCB designs may use 3 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz, or higher copper weight, depending on the electrical and thermal requirements.
Heavy copper PCB fabrication is often selected when the circuit board must carry high current, reduce voltage drop, improve heat dissipation, and increase long-term reliability under demanding operating conditions.
Heavy Copper PCB Applications
- Power supply PCB and high-current power boards
- Industrial control PCB
- Motor driver and motor controller PCB
- Battery Management System PCB
- EV charger and electric vehicle power electronics
- Solar inverter and energy storage system PCB
- Welding equipment PCB
- High-current LED lighting and power distribution boards
Heavy Copper PCB fabrication is commonly selected for applications requiring high current carrying capacity, improved heat dissipation, and long-term reliability. These products are frequently used in industrial, automotive, renewable energy, and power conversion equipment.
Benefits of Heavy Copper PCB Fabrication
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| High Current Capacity | Thicker copper traces can carry higher current than standard copper thickness designs. |
| Better Heat Dissipation | Heavy copper helps distribute and transfer heat away from high-power components. |
| Lower Voltage Drop | Wider and thicker copper conductors help reduce resistance and voltage loss. |
| Improved Reliability | Heavy copper PCBs are suitable for demanding industrial, automotive, and power applications. |
| Stronger Mechanical Structure | Thicker copper can improve the strength of pads, plated holes, and current-carrying areas. |
Available Copper Weights
| Copper Weight | Approximate Thickness | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 35 μm | Standard PCB fabrication |
| 2 oz | 70 μm | Industrial control PCB |
| 3 oz | 105 μm | Power electronics PCB |
| 4 oz | 140 μm | Motor control PCB |
| 6 oz | 210 μm | Battery systems and high-current PCB |
| 8 oz | 280 μm | EV charger PCB and inverter PCB |
| 10 oz | 350 μm | High-current power PCB |
Our Heavy Copper PCB Capabilities
| Item | Capability |
|---|---|
| Copper Weight | 1 oz, 2 oz, 3 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz or higher upon review |
| Board Type | Single-sided PCB, double-sided PCB, and multilayer PCB |
| Base Material | FR4, High Tg FR4, and other materials upon request |
| Surface Finish | HASL, lead-free HASL, ENIG, OSP, immersion silver, and other options |
| Solder Mask | Green, black, blue, red, white, and other colors |
| Order Type | Prototype PCB and production PCB fabrication |
Heavy Copper PCB vs Standard PCB
| Item | Standard PCB | Heavy Copper PCB |
|---|---|---|
| Copper Weight | Commonly 1 oz or 2 oz | 3 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, 10 oz or higher |
| Current Capacity | Suitable for standard signal and moderate power circuits | Designed for high-current and high-power circuits |
| Heat Dissipation | Standard thermal performance | Improved heat spreading and thermal reliability |
| Typical Applications | Consumer electronics, control boards, standard PCB assemblies | Power supplies, EV chargers, inverters, battery systems, motor controllers |
Heavy Copper PCB Design Considerations
1. Copper Thickness and Current Requirement
The required copper weight depends on current level, allowable temperature rise, trace width, board thickness, and heat dissipation path. A 4 oz copper PCB may be suitable for many power boards, while 6 oz, 8 oz, or 10 oz copper may be required for higher-current applications.
2. Trace Width and Spacing
Heavy copper requires more careful spacing control than standard PCB fabrication. As copper thickness increases, minimum trace and space requirements may also need to increase.
3. Plated Through Holes
For high-current designs, plated through holes, vias, and component pads should be designed with enough copper area and mechanical strength. Via quantity, via diameter, and copper plating should be reviewed during the PCB fabrication process.
4. Heat Dissipation
Heavy copper can improve heat distribution, but thermal design still depends on board structure, component placement, copper area, airflow, enclosure design, and operating environment.
Heavy Copper PCB Fabrication Quote
To request a heavy copper PCB quotation, please send us your Gerber files, copper thickness requirement, board quantity, material requirement, surface finish, solder mask color, and any special current or thermal requirements.
Please use our online PCB quotation page or contact us directly by email.
Get a PCB Fabrication Quote | [email protected]
Heavy Copper PCB FAQ
What is considered a Heavy Copper PCB?
A PCB with copper thickness of 3 oz or higher is generally considered a Heavy Copper PCB. Common heavy copper options include 3 oz, 4 oz, 6 oz, 8 oz, and 10 oz copper.
Can Heavy Copper PCB be manufactured as a multilayer PCB?
Yes. Heavy Copper PCB can be produced as a single-sided PCB, double-sided PCB, or multilayer PCB depending on the design requirements.
What copper weights are available?
We support copper weights from 1 oz to 10 oz or higher upon engineering review.
Can Heavy Copper PCB use ENIG surface finish?
Yes. Heavy Copper PCB can use ENIG, HASL, lead-free HASL, OSP, immersion silver, and other surface finish options.
What files are required for a Heavy Copper PCB quotation?
Please send Gerber files, drill files, copper thickness requirements, board quantity, material specifications, surface finish requirements, and any special current-carrying requirements.
What applications commonly use Heavy Copper PCB?
Heavy Copper PCB is widely used in power supplies, battery management systems, EV chargers, solar inverters, industrial controls, motor controllers, and high-current power electronics.