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How to design a moisture-proof circuit board for industrial control systems in humid environments?

Publish Time: 2026-01-07
As a core control component, the moisture-proof performance of the industrial control circuit board for coffee grinders directly affects the stability and lifespan of the equipment. In humid environments, moisture can penetrate the circuit board through infiltration and condensation, causing problems such as short circuits, corrosion of metal components, and decreased insulation performance, which can lead to grinding accuracy deviations, motor control malfunctions, and even equipment shutdowns. Therefore, a multi-dimensional moisture-proof protection system needs to be constructed, encompassing material selection, structural design, process control, and post-maintenance.

During the material selection phase, priority should be given to substrates and components with excellent moisture-proof performance. For the circuit board substrate, FR-4 board with a high Tg (glass transition temperature) value or polyimide (PI) material can be selected. These materials have low water absorption and can effectively resist moisture penetration. Regarding components, surface-mount components with good sealing properties should be selected, avoiding the use of through-hole components with easily oxidized leads. For critical chips, packaging forms with moisture-proof coatings, such as QFN (Quad Flat No-Leader) or BGA (Ball Grid Array), can be used to reduce the probability of moisture intrusion through the pin gaps. In addition, protecting solder pads and solder joints is equally important. A corrosion-resistant immersion gold process can be used instead of the easily oxidized spray tin process to enhance the oxidation resistance and moisture resistance of the solder joints.

Structural design is a key aspect of moisture protection. The circuit board layout should follow the principle of "balanced density" to avoid excessive component density leading to poor local heat dissipation and moisture accumulation. For moisture-prone interface areas, such as power and communication interfaces, independent protective cavities should be designed, using sealing rings or potting compound for physical isolation. Simultaneously, drainage channels or holes should be added to the edges of the circuit board to prevent condensate from flowing along the board surface to critical component areas. In coffee grinders, the grinding motor drive module has high power and generates a lot of heat, easily creating local temperature differences that lead to condensation. Heat sinks or thermal pads should be added around the module, and a sealed design should be used to reduce moisture contact.

The process control stage requires strict control over the coating quality of the moisture-proof coating. Conformal coating (moisture-proof, salt spray-proof, mildew-proof) is a common method for moisture protection of circuit boards. The coating must evenly cover all exposed conductors and solder joints, avoiding blind spots caused by missed areas or uneven thickness. For industrial control circuit boards, acrylic or polyurethane conformal coatings can be used; the former cures quickly and is less expensive, while the latter offers better chemical corrosion resistance. Coating processes can include spraying, dipping, or selective coating. Selective coating uses automated equipment to precisely control the coating area, avoiding coverage of connectors, test points, etc., balancing protection and maintainability. Furthermore, the circuit board must be thoroughly cleaned before coating to remove flux residue, fingerprints, and other contaminants, ensuring coating adhesion.

Sealing design is the core measure to prevent moisture intrusion. Industrial control circuit boards must be installed in a well-sealed enclosure. The enclosure material can be engineering plastics (such as ABS, PC) or metal (such as aluminum alloy), and rubber sealing rings should be used to seal the interfaces. For interfaces that require frequent plugging and unplugging, IP67 waterproof connectors can be used to ensure normal operation even after brief immersion in water. In addition, the internal casing can be designed with humidity control devices, such as placing desiccant packets or installing small dehumidification modules, to continuously absorb internal moisture and maintain a dry environment.

Production environment control is equally crucial. Circuit board assembly workshops must maintain constant temperature and humidity, with the temperature controlled between 20-25℃ and the relative humidity below 60% to prevent moisture absorption during assembly. Assembled circuit boards must be stored in a dehumidifying cabinet, with the humidity controlled below 10%RH to prevent moisture absorption during long-term storage. Moisture-proof packaging, such as aluminum foil bags or vacuum packaging, must be used during transportation to ensure the circuit boards do not absorb moisture during transport.

Post-construction maintenance is an extension of moisture protection. During coffee grinder use, the sealing of the circuit board casing should be checked regularly, and aging sealing rings should be replaced promptly. For equipment used outdoors or in humid environments, the maintenance cycle should be shortened and the inspection frequency increased. If the circuit board becomes damp, it must be immediately powered off and dried in a low-temperature drying oven (temperature not exceeding 60℃) to prevent damage to components from high temperatures; after drying, conformal coating must be reapplied to restore protective performance.

Moisture protection for industrial control circuit boards used in coffee grinders needs to be implemented throughout their entire lifecycle, from design and production to use. Through the synergistic effects of material selection, structural design, process control, sealing design, environmental control, and post-maintenance, a multi-layered moisture protection system can be constructed to ensure stable operation of the circuit board in humid environments, providing a solid guarantee for the precise control and long-term reliability of the coffee grinder.
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