PCB Copper Weight Reference

• ->Fine-pitch BGA routing
• ->High-density interconnect (HDI) boards
• ->Smartphone and tablet PCBs
• ->Inner layers in multilayer boards

Half-ounce copper is standard for HDI and fine-pitch designs. Lower current capacity limits use in power applications. Often paired with 1 oz outer layers.

• ->General-purpose digital circuits
• ->Consumer electronics
• ->Signal routing layers
• ->Standard commercial PCBs

Most common copper weight for general PCB fabrication. Good balance of current capacity, cost, and manufacturability. Standard baseline for IPC-2221 calculations.

• ->Power distribution layers
• ->Motor drivers
• ->LED lighting boards
• ->Automotive electronics
• ->Industrial control systems

Double the current capacity of 1 oz copper. Common choice for power planes and high-current traces. Increases board cost by ~20-30%. May require adjusted trace/space rules.

• ->High-power DC-DC converters
• ->Battery management systems (BMS)
• ->EV/HEV power electronics
• ->Welding equipment

Heavy copper for demanding power applications. Requires special fabrication capabilities. Minimum trace/space typically 8-10 mil. Often combined with thinner signal layers.

• ->Power supply boards
• ->Busbar replacement
• ->High-current motor controllers
• ->Renewable energy inverters

Heavy copper requiring specialty PCB fabrication. Not all fabs support 4 oz+. Expect longer lead times and higher costs. May need edge plating for thermal relief.

• ->Extreme power applications
• ->Planar transformers
• ->High-current busbars on PCB
• ->Power conversion equipment

Ultra-heavy copper for extreme power requirements. Very few fabs can process 6 oz+. Often used with embedded busbars or coin insertion for thermal management.