Circuit board is a small board containing electronic components that are connected to form a circuit. The circuit can accomplish a single electronic task, such as supplying power, or it can accomplish many tasks, such as those performed by a calculator. Typically, the board is a flat piece of nonconducting material, such as epoxy or resin.
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Most circuit boards are printed circuit boards (PCB’s). Machines imprint the board with patterns of conducting material, creating the desired circuits. The machines use a technique called photolithography, in which light imprints the pathways the circuits must follow. Electronic components are attached at designated spots along the pathways. These pathways carry electric current from component to component, like wires built into the board. On circuit boards other than PCB’s, actual wires connect the components.
Most circuit boards have conducting connectors designed to fit into sockets in computers or other electronic devices. These connectors enable technicians to insert or remove circuit boards with ease.
The main circuit board of a computer is called the motherboard. The motherboard houses the main memory modules and one or more microprocessors (electronic devices that control the computer’s systems and processes). The motherboard may also have sockets into which other electronic components or even additional circuit boards may be inserted.
