What is IPC Compliance? - PCB Libraries Forum

Library Expert is very customizable as is the IPC Wizard in Altium Designer.

How do we know a footprint is still "IPC Compliant" after we have customized just about every aspect of the footprint?

What is it specifically that makes it IPC Compliant?

IPC-A-610 for PCB fabrication and IPC-J-STD-001 for assembly acceptance use 3 classes to define solder joint goal acceptability for various electronic products.

CLASS 1 – General Electronic Products

Includes products suitable for applications where the major requirement is function of the completed assembly. Toys

CLASS 2 – Dedicated Service Electronic Products

Includes products where continued performance and extended life is required, and for which uninterrupted service is desired but not critical. Typically, the end-use environment would not cause failures. Computers & Phones

CLASS 3 – High Performance Electronic Products

Includes products where continued high performance or performance-on-demand is critical, equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, end-use environment may be uncommonly harsh, and the equipment must function when required, such as life support or other critical systems. Military & Medical

The J-STD-001 and the 610 standards are broken down into these definitions:

N = No requirement has been established for this Class

A = Acceptable

P = Process Indicator

D = Defect

Examples:

[A1P2D3] is Acceptable Class 1, Process Indicator Class 2 and Defect Class 3

[N1D2D3] is Requirement Not Establish Class 1, Defect Classes 2 and 3

[A1A2D3] is Acceptable Classes 1 and 2, Defect Class 3

[D1D2D3] is Defect for all Classes

A defect for a Class 1 product means that the characteristic is also a defect for Class 2 and 3. A defect for a Class 2 product means that the characteristic is also a defect for a Class 3 product, but may not be a defect for a Class 1 product where less demanding criteria may apply.

Defect = Non-conformance to the requirements of this standard or other risk factors as identified by the manufacturer.

Process Indicator = A detectable anomaly, other than a defect, that is attributable to variation in material, equipment operation, workmanship or processes.

For additional information about how IPC compliance affects Footprint Land Patterns in Library Expert and Altium Designer read these posts:

Thermal Pads

Chip Solder Joints

Gull Wing Terminal Leads

Who is IPC?

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duchess Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 11 Oct 2012 Status: Offline Points: 2	Post Options Post Reply Quote duchess Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: What is IPC Compliance? Posted: 29 Sep 2017 at 1:19pm
	Library Expert is very customizable as is the IPC Wizard in Altium Designer. How do we know a footprint is still "IPC Compliant" after we have customized just about every aspect of the footprint? What is it specifically that makes it IPC Compliant?



Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29 Sep 2017 at 1:51pm
	I think the most important thing is that your footprints be acceptable to your assembly process. The assembly guidelines originate in the IPC-J-STD-001 standard for solder joint acceptability. The IPC Land Pattern consists of pad size and spacing and all other customization for Drafting Outlines and other preference options are not defined by IPC. However, there are fabrication guidelines that also need to be met, such as silkscreen legend on solder pads is not a good thing, but it's not mentioned in any IPC standards.
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Tom H Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Joined: 05 Jan 2012 Location: San Diego, CA Status: Offline Points: 5716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tom H Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Dec 2019 at 12:56pm
	IPC-A-610 for PCB fabrication and IPC-J-STD-001 for assembly acceptance use 3 classes to define solder joint goal acceptability for various electronic products. CLASS 1 – General Electronic Products Includes products suitable for applications where the major requirement is function of the completed assembly. Toys CLASS 2 – Dedicated Service Electronic Products Includes products where continued performance and extended life is required, and for which uninterrupted service is desired but not critical. Typically, the end-use environment would not cause failures. Computers & Phones CLASS 3 – High Performance Electronic Products Includes products where continued high performance or performance-on-demand is critical, equipment downtime cannot be tolerated, end-use environment may be uncommonly harsh, and the equipment must function when required, such as life support or other critical systems. Military & Medical The J-STD-001 and the 610 standards are broken down into these definitions: N = No requirement has been established for this Class A = Acceptable P = Process Indicator D = Defect Examples: [A1P2D3] is Acceptable Class 1, Process Indicator Class 2 and Defect Class 3 [N1D2D3] is Requirement Not Establish Class 1, Defect Classes 2 and 3 [A1A2D3] is Acceptable Classes 1 and 2, Defect Class 3 [D1D2D3] is Defect for all Classes A defect for a Class 1 product means that the characteristic is also a defect for Class 2 and 3. A defect for a Class 2 product means that the characteristic is also a defect for a Class 3 product, but may not be a defect for a Class 1 product where less demanding criteria may apply. Defect = Non-conformance to the requirements of this standard or other risk factors as identified by the manufacturer. Process Indicator = A detectable anomaly, other than a defect, that is attributable to variation in material, equipment operation, workmanship or processes. For additional information about how IPC compliance affects Footprint Land Patterns in Library Expert and Altium Designer read these posts: Thermal Pads Chip Solder Joints Gull Wing Terminal Leads Who is IPC?
	Stay connected - follow us! X - LinkedIn