Understanding the Symbols on Circuit Boards

PCB Network News

On many circuit boards or electronic products, we often see the following symbols. Do you know what they mean?

• FCC mark, CE mark, hand symbol, and trash can symbol on Atmel development boards

• RoHS mark and RU mark on NXP development boards

• Hand symbol, trash can symbol, and Pb mark on NXP development boards

• CE mark and FCC mark on Arduino development boards

• RU mark on Toshiba development boards

• Trash can mark, KC mark, FCC mark, and CE mark on SanDisk USB drives

• WiFi and Bluetooth marks, FCC standard, and CE mark on the Espressif ESP32 WiFi + Bluetooth module

Symbols

• Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Symbol

The electrostatic discharge (ESD) symbol is an essential part of the ESD control system. These symbols clearly indicate products, areas, or packaging related to static electricity, reminding staff to always be aware of the dangers of static electricity and to take preventive measures. They can be affixed to equipment used in workshops, product packaging, equipment casings, or areas that require ESD protection.

• WEEE Symbol

The trash can symbol in the EU indicates that when the end user intends to dispose of this product, it must be taken to an appropriate facility for recycling and reuse.

Domestic Certifications

• CCC Certification: China Compulsory Certification

The CCC mark is not a quality mark but the most basic safety certification, aimed at protecting consumer safety and national security. The authoritative “CCC” certification, which integrates national safety certification (CCEE), import safety quality licensing system (CCIB), and China electromagnetic compatibility certification (EMC), has significant importance and is an advanced mark aligning with international standards.

• CQC Certification: China Quality Certification Center

• SRRC Certification: National Radio Administration Mandatory Certification

Global Certifications

• CB Certification: International Electrotechnical Commission CB Certification

North American Certifications

• UL Certification: Underwriter Laboratories Inc.

The UL certification mark is the RU symbol, a common symbol on circuit boards.

At the beginning of the article, the Toshiba and NXP development boards have a string of letters “*RU94V-0 HF PbF *“. What does this mean?

• ETL Certification: ETL certification is required for products exported to the USA and Canada.

FCC Certification:Federal Communications Commission (FCC) manages radio, communication, and digital devices in the USA.

• IC Certification: Industry Canada Certification

EU Certifications

• CE Certification: CE certification system is the EU’s entry system for electrical products and is a mandatory legal requirement.

• RoHS Certification: RoHS is a mandatory standard established by EU legislation.

RoHS 2.0 has ten harmful substance restriction requirements:

Additionally, it is important to note that the RoHS 2.0 directive has been incorporated into the CE certification scope, so RoHS 2.0 now requires compliance assessment according to CE conformity assessment procedures, issuing CE-RoHS certificates or self-declarations, and affixing CE certification marks on the product itself or its packaging.

• TÜV Certification: TÜV (Technischer Überwachungs Verein) is the abbreviation for “Technical Supervision Association” in German.

• E-Mark Certification: E-mark is an approval system for automotive parts based on regulations signed and issued in Geneva by the Economic Commission for Europe.

South Korea Certifications

• KC Certification: KC Mark Certification Products List based on the “Korean Electrical Appliance Safety Management Law” stipulates that from January 1, 2009, electrical product safety certification is divided into mandatory and self-regulatory (voluntary) certifications.

Japan Certifications

• PSE Certification: PSE is required by the “Electrical Equipment and Materials Safety Law” implemented since 2001, targeting most household or commercial electrical devices.

VCCI Certification:VCCI is Japan’s electromagnetic compatibility certification mark.

• TELEC Certification: TELEC is a mandatory certification for wireless products in Japan, somewhat similar to the domestic SRRC.

Australia Certifications

• SAA Certification: SAA is also a local safety regulation that electrical products must comply with to enter the Australian market, often faced by the industry.

Bluetooth and WiFi Certifications

If your product has Bluetooth functionality and displays the Bluetooth logo, it must pass a certification called BQB (Bluetooth Qualification Body). Bluetooth certification is very important. Only products certified by the Bluetooth SIG organization are true Bluetooth products, ensuring compatibility and performance according to Bluetooth standards, and allowing the legal use of Bluetooth or BLUETOOTH logos and related technical specifications.

Wi-Fi certification targets wireless local area network products based on the IEEE 802.11b standard. The Wi-Fi certificate is issued by a non-profit industrial organization (WECA). WECA was established in August 1999 and has since rapidly increased its membership to over 150, with 370 products globally certified for Wi-Fi. WECA’s core work is testing and certification.

Espressif ESP32 WiFi + Bluetooth Module

Other Country Certifications

• Indonesia POSTEL Certification (POSTEL of Indonesia)

• Malaysia SIRIM Certification (SIRIM certification of Malaysia)

• Thailand NTC Certification (NTC certification of Thailand)

• Singapore IDA Certification (IDA certification of Singapore)

• Singapore CSP Scheme and Safety Mark (CSP Scheme and safety mark in Singapore)

• India STQC Certification (STQC certification of India)

Certification Application

Although there is just a simple symbol on the board, a lot of effort goes into it. So how do you obtain these certifications? For certification applications, especially for the first time, it is advisable to seek professional and authoritative certification agencies. The certification process is complex (involving application, testing, factory inspection, etc.), with many involved agencies and document requirements. In summary, without high professional knowledge and coordinated resources, it is very difficult to handle. Certification agencies should preferably choose China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment, Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and other recognized institutions or laboratories.

Below is the 3C product certification process provided by a domestic certification agency:

Conclusion

So, after reading this article, do you now know what the symbols on the board mean?

Source: Excerpt from Electronic Circuit Development Learning, copyright belongs to the original author. If copyright issues arise, please contact us, and we will handle it as soon as possible.

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