In PCB (Printed Circuit Board) manufacturing, the term “electrical” usually refers to the electrical properties of the PCB, which determine how the board performs in terms of electrical signal transmission, power distribution and electromagnetic compatibility. Below are some of the key aspects of PCB electrical performance and their role:

Electrical Properties:
Dielectric Constant (Dk):

Dielectric constant is a measure of an insulating material’s ability to store electrical energy. A lower Dk value means faster signal transmission and lower losses, which is important for high-speed digital circuits and RF applications.
Dissipation Factor (Df):

Dissipation factor describes how much electrical energy is lost in a medium. Lower Df values help reduce signal attenuation and improve signal integrity.
Characteristic Impedance (Z0):

Characteristic impedance is the impedance encountered by a signal traveling on a guide wire and is critical to maintaining signal integrity and reducing reflections.
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE):

Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) affects the dimensional stability of a PCB over temperature changes and is important to ensure the reliability and long-term performance of electrical connections.
Voltage Withstand Performance:

Voltage withstand refers to the maximum voltage a PCB material can withstand before electrical breakdown, which is critical for safety in high voltage applications.
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC):

EMC relates to the PCB design’s resistance to electromagnetic interference and emission levels, which is important for meeting stringent electromagnetic regulations and maintaining equipment performance.
Electrical Conductivity:

Electrical conductivity relates to the electrical conductivity of the copper foil layers in a PCB, which affects the efficiency of current transfer and power loss.
Role:
Ensures signal integrity:

Good electrical performance ensures that signals are transmitted clearly and accurately across the PCB, reducing distortion and time delay.
Improves Circuit Reliability:

Optimization of electrical properties helps improve the long-term stability and reliability of circuits, reducing failure rates.
Supports High-speed and High-frequency Applications:

For high-speed data transmission and high-frequency signal processing applications, electrical performance is especially important to ensure fast and error-free signal transmission.
Optimize Power Management:

Electrical performance affects the design of the power distribution network (PDN) and is critical to maintaining power stability and reducing noise.
Meet Safety Standards:

Voltage withstand and EMC performance ensure that PCB designs meet safety standards and regulatory requirements, protecting users from electrical hazards.
Reduce EMI:

Good EMC performance reduces the PCB’s electromagnetic interference with the outside world and also protects circuits from external interference.
Supports Design Flexibility:

Optimization of electrical performance allows designers to design circuits more flexibly, enabling more complex functions and more compact layouts.
Improves Productivity:

By pre-testing and verifying electrical performance, design iterations can be reduced and time-to-market accelerated.
The electrical performance of PCBs is a key factor in ensuring that electronic devices work properly and meet performance requirements, and it needs to be carefully considered and controlled during the PCB design and manufacturing process.