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What is PCB CTI?

Concerns about electrical safety are not isolated to electrical boxes or

other equipment of high voltage, distribution lines, and transmission, caps,

and transformers. PCBA, which includes virtually all systems, appliances,

and devices that we make use of, can be dangerous if there is an

occurrence of contingency where there is an exposure of users or

personnel to extreme current level. This is more likely to happen

for industrial boards of which high current printed circuit board tips and

guidelines for designing should be adhered to.

Table of Contents

What Does The Comparative Tracking Index Mean?

The comparative tracking index is similar to the high voltage arc tracking

rate (HVTR), it evaluates or measures the capability of a Printed circuit

board surface to withstand tracking. In this case, tracking refers to

faulty insulation materials that exist between conductive surface elements

like traces and pads.

A printed circuit board is utilized to offer mechanical help and to interface

electrical elements electronically by utilizing conductive pathways, the

signal follows or tracks engraved from copper sheets covered onto a

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non-favorable substrate. Comparative tracking index is the ability to which

Printed circuit board materials that have the insulating capability of

resisting unneeded current to have flowing access on the board between

traces.

It is the measurement of the capability that the Printed circuit board

underlying support has to confront any failure or crack-down between

double tracks on the outside layer of the printed circuit board materials. It

is made use of in assessing the level of resistance of the printed circuit

board base material and assists in calculating the high-voltage segregated

or in solitude values between the tracks.

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PCB CTI Value

PCB cti value

The comparative tracking index value depicts the resistance of the printed

circuit board materials against ecological influences like moisture and dirt.

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This is well explained in terms of when the value is higher, then the higher

the material is, the more resistant. FR4 CTI has a default comparative

tracking index of 175 and which may increase to about 600 unique

materials.

The worth of comparative tracking list is learned with the utilization

of standard test techniques Tracking resistance is the refusal and

opposition against the current flow put forward by the Printed circuit

board. The rising in the digit of elements placed on the printed circuit

board increases its general packing density; this contributes to little trace

spacing. Hence, the CTI value in the printed circuit board base material is

very essential.

These values contribute to the reduction in the general printed circuit

board resistance to tracking. These values provide an evaluation for loss

of electricity most especially as a result of faulty or breakdown insulation

or short-circuit as trace spacing gets reduced as a result of the elevated

number of elements. On the basis of the standard set by the IEC, the

smaller comparative tracing index grade substratum provides great

resistance to electrical breakdown.

A comparative tracking index is a number that is critical while picking a

printed circuit board material. The range of a normal FR-4 CTI is from 175

to 225V.

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The increment in the packing density of elements on the printed circuit

boards increases smaller conductor track spacing. Thus, the PCB CTI value

in the base material data sheets becomes increasingly more essential. This

is the scale for resistance tracking.

Comparative Tracking Record

Comparative tracking record is the technique for estimating a material as

an electrical encasing and is given as the voltage at which while going

through a trial of normalization, the outside of materials separates.

Comparative tracking index numbers for products are published by

the Printed circuit board laminate manufacturers.

Here comparative tracking index is an item of good quality which is

applicable to Copper Clad laminate which is mostly used in domestic

electronics or electrical apparatus with a voltage at a high rate (110V,

220V). It is a dummy situation that the Printed circuit board in its work

environment suffers from pollution, which leads to short-circuiting or

leakage at the track gap of the Printed circuit board surface, of which

charring and heat-releasing is the companion.

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The method of experimentation is that continuous 50 drops of 0.1%

ammonium chloride solution are released along with the dual points on

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the Printed circuit board surface, half a minute per drop, switching on high

voltage AC current to do the testing.

The first instance is trying 300V to generate a 1A current. On the outside

layer, there is a solution with ammonium chloride, so after switching on

the current, resistance will be produced which also generates heat, after

which the solution evaporates slowly. The second drop is on and goes till

50 drops to observe if there is leakage with the Printed circuit board or not.

Once there is a creepage of 0.1A and goes above 0.5 seconds, it’s said to

have failed.

There are high PCB CTI (increased CTI 600 pcb material backed

by aluminum, CTI 300, and CTI 600v PCB) which works in such a difficult

environment of humidity, filth, and high voltage.

It must be stated that the most important aim of all standards for

electrical safety is preventing any danger caused by shock. On that basis,

the creepage and clearance allowance among its conductors that are

prone to the voltage that is hazardous can be the lowest that guarantees

the circuit will be functioning and not deteriorating.

IEC-60950-1 highlighted five accelerating levels of compulsory insulation

that are related to the physical location of a circuit that is relative to

contact by humans, operating environment, and the voltage. Naturally, the

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best approach in avoiding the degrading circuit or danger of shock is to

space traces distance away apart as much as possible, but most times,

that distance doesn’t/ will not meet the requirements of creepage.

If looking towards the angle of a material with a good Comparative

tracking index seems impossible, routing a slot between two traces can

add to the creepage distance. The loss of electricity due to faulty insulation

from one trace to the other on the laminate surface would need to move

around the air gap. However, a vertical hindrance of

insulating components could be stationed in the space, which would add

to both the clearance distance and that of creepage.

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Importance of Comparative Tracking Index

CTI 600 pcb material

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HVTR testing and other high-standard voltage arcing tests are carried out

on dry, solid insulation materials. Comparative tracking index testing is

carried out with the application of liquid to the board surface. It is aimed

at evaluating the opposition of the board’s insulation to track. In the

presence of contamination, which is most likely for industrial boards,

especially when entrenched in manufacturing equipment, as discovered in

advanced industrial processing environments.

The Comparative tracking index is significant as it gives a quantitative

metric by which materials that differ can be compared and a selection

possible based on its chances to cope with its intended environment. Most

especially, the Comparative tracking index can be adopted to ascertain

clearance distance and creepage for your board’s design.

Comparative Tracking Index Testing Options

1. UL testing facility: The best option is by testing by anUl facility if

testing is needed. The Comparative tracking index test can be

carried out with the related surface tracking estimation.

2. Facility for other testing facilities: There are several companies that

can carry out testing of materials for you. The benefit here is that

you are not mandated to acquire or have the equipment that is

necessary or the environment that meets the standards’

requirements.

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3. In-Door: if your anticipation is on the need to carry out this type

of testing regularly, the expenses might worth acquiring equipment

and expertise to get it done whenever it is required.

Additionally, you may make use of the result of past studies that are

available, and that is compatible with your design. If accurately utilized,

Comparative tracking index testing can assist you in picking the best

materials, PCB layout, and coating that are protective for your industrial

board.

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Understanding CTI in line with PCB routing

In case when two PCB traces similarly and often happening at the same

time, the dielectric materials should not at any time break down, and the

dual traces should have the ability to carry current without any glitch.

There are fewer chances of dielectric breaking down and direct shots. The

dielectrics make sure that there is a presence of resistance at the dual

traces.

One of the basic reasons why the dual traces might have a loss of

electricity is as a result of the formation of contamination between traces,

the voltage applied, temperature, and ecological conditions. Comparative

tracking index is the proportion of the susceptibility of the printed circuit

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board’s insulating materials to the electrical breakdown. Mathematically,

the Comparative tracking index represents the voltage, which results in

failure by breakdown after 50 drops of 0.1% ammonium chloride solution

have failed on the material.

Creepage Distance and Comparative Tracking Index Value

Creepage distance is the shortest available path between the measured

dual Printed circuit boards along the insulation surface. Depending on the

Comparative tracking index value of the Printed circuit board, the

creepage wild will experience a difference in value.

If the Comparative tracking index records a higher value, then the

minimal creepage value is needed. Lastly, a high Comparative tracking

index value indicates the close tie between the Printed circuit boards.

Conclusion

In the fabrication of printed circuit boards, CTI is the measurement of the

capability of the laminate external layer to be able to hold the outside

layer, upon the release of an electrolyte between them.

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