2-layer PCB VS 4-layer PCB: Advantages and Disadvantages Introduction

/在： /通过：

When manufacturing electronic products, the selection of the type of circuit board is a relatively important step. For example, whether to use single-layer PCB, 2-layer PCB, or multilayer PCB. Of course, these issues are in the product design stage . Each type of PCB has unique advantages. We must choose according to the performance of the product.

Now we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of 2-layer PCBs and 4-layer PCBs. The specific content is as follows:

Introduction to the concept

What is a 2-layer PCB?

A 2-layer circuit board is a circuit board with only two conductive layers and no gaps between the layers. Each layer can be wired for circuits, and the two layers do not lead to each other. This type of circuit board is generally used for simpler circuit designs, such as some small electronic devices, toys, etc. Its advantages are easy to manufacture, low cost, suitable for small-scale production, etc.

What is a 4-layer circuit board?

A 4-layer circuit board is a circuit board that has four conductive layers with vias connecting the layers. This type of board is often used for more complex circuit designs, such as communication equipment, computer networks, etc. It has the advantage of providing more circuitry. Its advantages include more wiring space, higher signal quality and more stable performance.

4-layer circuit boards are more difficult to design and fabricate, and require a higher level of technology and equipment, so their cost is also relatively high. However, it can provide better signal quality and more stable performance, and is suitable for application scenarios that require higher circuit performance.

2-Layer PCB Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

▶ Lower Cost – double sided PCBs are less expensive than 4-layer designs. This difference can be considerable depending on the number of units you intend to order.

▶ Simpler Design and Production – simpler design and production not only means you get your printed circuit boards faster. The simpler your design is, the less vulnerable it is to costly errors during the design or manufacturing process. In certain applications, the ability to repair your PCB at a later date is also important; when compared to more complex 4-layer PCBs, it is inherently easier to repair double sided printed circuit boards.

▶ High Volume – Whenever projects require mass production, eliminating unnecessary layers is vital. If your project is going to be a high-volume order, 2-layer boards are typically preferred to optimize manufacturing speed, cost, and efficiency.

▶ Short Lead Time – For large and small projects, a shorter lead time is often required to quickly make a prototype. 2-layer PCBs have an advantage over other multilayer printed circuit boards, because they are extremely fast to produce.

Disadvantages

▶ Simplistic Design – Oftentimes opting for a double sided circuit board means sacrificing some bells and whistles. A 4-layer PCB has more room for more components and routing options, while a 2-layer PCB typically has a simple design.

▶ Slower Speed and Lower Operating Capacity – If speed is an issue, the more layers, the better. Depending on the application, you may find that 2 layers isn’t enough to give you the necessary speed and capacity for your project. The jump from 2 layers to 4 layers includes considerably more speed and operating capacity.

▶ Larger Size and Higher Weight – Despite 4-layer printed circuit boards having more layers, double sided PCBs are typically quite large and bulky in comparison to make room for components and leads. If you need to fit your printed circuit board into a compact space, adding more layers is often the best design choice.

4-Layer PCB Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

▶ Useful for More Complicated Projects – The more complex your project is, the more useful you will find the additional layers of a 4-layer PCB. Being able to increase your creative design choices including layouts, routing, and additional components, gives you the opportunity to make the best end product possible.

▶ High Quality – For even simple products that demand the highest quality, going from a 2-layer to a 4-layer PCB design is an obvious choice. If cost is not an issue, 4-layer boards offer a higher quality result.

▶ Added Power – The ability to handle more power is a considerable advantage for 4-layer PCBs. When you are deciding whether you need a double sided or 4-layer printed circuit board, keep in mind how much power your design will require.

▶ Increased Durability – The more layers your design has, the more durable your PCB will be. A 4 layer design will be much more substantial than a 2-layer printed circuit board, despite typically being smaller in size.

▶ Smaller Size and Lighter Weight – While many people conflate a larger number layers with a larger sized board, 4-layer boards are actually often much smaller and lighter than 2-layer PCBs. This is because they require less room for components and wiring.

Disadvantages

▶ Higher Costs – Since 4-layer PCBs use more materials and are more difficult to manufacture, they can be quite a lot more than 2-layer printed circuit boards. When costs are an issue, minimizing the number of layers is usually the best option.

▶ More Complicated Design and Production – When you need to quickly design and produce printed circuit boards for a project, the more layers you have, the longer each step of the process is going to take.

▶ Less Availability – You will find that the more complex your design is, the harder it is to find a manufacturer who can accommodate your needs. That being said, 4-layer designs are very common these days, so this becomes more of an issue as your PCB designs begin to get even more complicated.

▶ Longer Lead Times – For projects that are in a time crunch, adding layers to your design isn’t ideal. The smaller your timeframe is, the more important it will be to use as few layers as possible for your project.

▶ More Complex Repairs – Double-sided printed circuit boards have an advantage over 4-layer designs when it comes to ease of repairs. While everything is essentially exposed on 2-layer designs, any necessary repairs for 4-layer PCBs are going to be more difficult. For some applications, this is extremely important and should be taken into consideration.

2 Layer PCB vs 4 Layer PCB

Designs of 2 Layer PCB vs 4 Layer PCB

Vias in 2 layer PCB are used to create electrical connections that enable the routing of the traces so that they reach the opposite side of the board. Even more surface area is available for traces in a 4 layer PCB design than that in a 2 layer PCB. The 4 layer PCB design involves a prepreg layer that bonds two layers and a double-sided boards together by applying heat and pressure. Prepreg provides dielectric between the layers.

Functionality of 2 Layer PCB vs 4 Layer PCB

If the microstrip traces comprising a ground plane are utilized, the 2 layer PCB delivers more functionality as there are no propagation delays or other problems. However, a 4-layer PCB design consisting of ground and VCC plane layers and 2 signal layers is more preferred. This design struggle with impedance and propagation delays.

Cost of 2 Layer PCB vs 4 Layer PCB

Due to complexity of design, higher sensitivity, the higher levels of signal integrity and reduced interference levels, the 4 layer PCB is more expensive than a 2 layer PCB. The price of 2 layer PCB can be as low as $2/piece, and the cost of 4 layer pcb can be as low as $6.5/piece in ALLPCB.com.

Lead Time of 2 Layer PCB vs 4 Layer PCB

The After your payment, your 2 layer pcb order with standard manufacturing specifications can be shipped within 24 hours and the lead time of your 4 layer pcb order can be within 48 hours on ALLPCB.com. Order now, we offer worldwide free shipping service!