Epec's Blog | Electronics Manufacturing Solutions

Products that use battery packs may require certification through national and international quality and safety organizations. These regulations ensure that the battery packs meet compliance standards for packaging, transportation, use, storage, and disposal.

If you have ever walked across a carpeted floor in the winter and touched a metal doorknob, you have experienced electrostatic discharge firsthand. The quick snap and jolt may be surprising, but for most people, it is harmless and quickly forgotten. For electronics, however, that same event can be far more serious.

Tariffs have become an increasingly important part of global trade policy and supply chain planning. For manufacturers, importers, and product developers, understanding how U.S. tariffs are created and enforced can help clarify why certain materials or components suddenly become more expensive or harder to source.

Printed circuit board assemblies used inside battery packs operate in a uniquely demanding environment. They are often enclosed, exposed to temperature swings, subjected to charge and discharge cycles, and expected to perform reliably for years without service.

At the conclusion of our webinar, Navigating UL and CSA Standards for Flexible Heaters Used in Industrial Equipment, we had several questions submitted to our presenter, Steven J. Goodman, Product Manager of User Interfaces and Cable Assemblies at Epec. We have compiled these questions into a readable format on our blog.

When a printed circuit board (PCB) overheats in the field, the root cause often traces back to one simple question that was never fully answered during layout: how much current is really flowing through each trace? Trace sizing and copper weight decisions may seem routine, but small assumptions at this stage can lead to voltage drop, excessive heat, and long-term reliability problems.

Medical devices using portable battery packs require special design considerations to ensure optimal power for these devices while upholding the highest levels of safety. The medical devices can use lithium-ion, lithium metal, lead acid, NiMH, silver-oxide, and alkaline battery cells based on power requirements and usage. The battery packs cannot malfunction when in use, during sterilization, or when placed into storage.

When it comes to flex and rigid-flex printed circuit boards, flex is typically seen as insurmountable compared to rigid. This is primarily due to the two main differences between flex and rigid: the materials and the function, both of which seem to give pause to many designers.

Flexible heaters are one of the most versatile thermal solutions available today. Designed for precise temperature control, these heaters can conform to complex surfaces and integrate seamlessly into assemblies where space is limited.

Designing a keypad that feels intuitive, durable, and precise is both an art and a science. While touchscreens and soft-key interfaces have become increasingly common, hard keys remain a staple in many industries, especially where tactile feedback, durability, and reliability are crucial.