Engineers Garage

  • Electronic Projects & Tutorials
    • Electronic Projects
      • Arduino Projects
      • AVR
      • Raspberry pi
      • ESP8266
      • BeagleBone
      • 8051 Microcontroller
      • ARM
      • PIC Microcontroller
      • STM32
    • Tutorials
      • Audio Electronics
      • Battery Management
      • Brainwave
      • Electric Vehicles
      • EMI/EMC/RFI
      • Hardware Filters
      • IoT tutorials
      • Power Tutorials
      • Python
      • Sensors
      • USB
      • VHDL
    • Circuit Design
    • Project Videos
    • Components
  • Articles
    • Tech Articles
    • Insight
    • Invention Stories
    • How to
    • What Is
  • News
    • Electronic Product News
    • Business News
    • Company/Start-up News
    • DIY Reviews
    • Guest Post
  • Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online
    • EG Forum Archive
  • DigiKey Store
    • Cables, Wires
    • Connectors, Interconnect
    • Discrete
    • Electromechanical
    • Embedded Computers
    • Enclosures, Hardware, Office
    • Integrated Circuits (ICs)
    • Isolators
    • LED/Optoelectronics
    • Passive
    • Power, Circuit Protection
    • Programmers
    • RF, Wireless
    • Semiconductors
    • Sensors, Transducers
    • Test Products
    • Tools
  • Learn
    • eBooks/Tech Tips
    • Design Guides
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • EE Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • DesignFast
  • Guest Post Guidelines
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Through-hole vs. surface mount: Selecting the right technology for your next PCB

By engineersgarage October 4, 2021

By Suresh Patel, Sales Engineer, Mer-Mar Electronics

When designing and manufacturing your PCB, one of the early decisions involves the type and style of components to be used. Traditionally, the option available was to insert components into plated through-holes on the PCB. Increasingly, the trend has been to use a method that does not involve drilling holes.

Let us look at the broad differences between the two technologies, namely Through-Hole and Surface Mount. This can act as a handy guide for PCB design to make the right choice of technology depending upon their bespoke requirements.

Through-hole technology
With older technology, there are enough and more reasons why it is still in vogue. One of the use cases of through-hole technology includes the prototype stage of the board.  It is here that the board requires quick assembly to act as a proof-of-concept. Once the prototype is approved, it works better to revise the PCB layout and include SMT components. This approach saves costs as you do not have to deal with subcontracting small lots that command a price premium.

Through-hole technology is also used extensively by hobbyists. With generous spacing, it makes hand soldering far easier.

Cost savings offered by through-hole technology
There are several cost advantages that through-hole PCBs have to offer:

  • First, the need to create a new solder stencil for every revision is taken away. You also tend to save money that you would otherwise need to spend on pick-and-place equipment that is required for SMT technology.
  • Often you can conduct in-circuit testing manually for small batches, which keeps your cost low.
  • It allows you to use low-cist tin-lead solder when working with through-hole boards.
  • Cost is also kept low on account of easy reworks. For example, if there are any mechanical issues, you can correct them without too many assembly issues as faced in SMT assembly. A through-hole prototype can also reveal any design-related mechanical issues before they become too costly.

With fewer issues, it is also possible to maintain timelines that are critical for quick time-to-market. It is little surprise then that through-hole is preferred in the early development and validation stages, irrespective of whether you are a hobbyist or an established player.

Surface Mount Technology
SMT offers several advantages that through-hole cannot match. Most importantly, it is suited for today’s environment where miniaturization is a growing trend. This technology works well where component density is high, and efficient use of the available space needs to be made. Using SMT components makes it possible to drill small vias in the pads, allowing for interconnections, saving precious real estate. The space around the SMT components can then be used for placing additional components. In fact, with SMT, both sides of the board can be utilized for component mounting.

Surface mount design considerations
When going with SMT PCB Assembly, the following considerations, however, need to be kept in mind:

  • Planar finishes such as ENIG, Immersion Silver, or Immersion Tin work well when dealing with fine pitch SMDs. Leaded solder used in HASL isn’t a great choice as it tends to puddle at one end.
  • SMT boards need high soldering temperatures compared to through-hole boards, and this is mainly on account of the lead-free surface finishes that are used. Therefore, you need a material that stands up to high soldering temperature and multiple cycling shocks.
  • In Gerber artwork, extra features such as a set of fiducial pads added to external layers are important so that the pick-and-place equipment has a reference for squaring the PCB. It is also prudent to eliminate solder mask openings for vias to minimize the potential for shorts.
  • As a best practice, test point pads should be added for in-circuit testing.
  • It is vital to use stack-ups which are symmetrical around the center of the stack.

Here is a quick comparison of through-hole versus surface mount technology characteristics that can act as a ready reckoner.

To sum up
The above parameters will come in handy when deciding through-hole versus SMT for your new PCB project. While SMT has gained increased popularity because of its apparent advantages, the fact remains that through-hole technology still finds relevance in certain use cases.

 

About the author
Suresh Patel has worked as a Sales Engineer and in other management roles at Mer-Mar Electronics. He brings 25 years of experience in printed-circuit-board sales and technical client service and managing business.

You may also like:

  • beginners guide
    Basic Electronics 01 – Beginners guide to setting up an…
  • prototype testing
    A comprehensive guide to PCB prototype testing

  • Electronic Circuit Designing: Modular Approach (Part 1)

  • PCB Designing using Kicad (Part 2/12)

  • Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) : An Overview

  • Surface mount and through-hole technology

Filed Under: Tutorials
Tagged With: pcbs, SMT, surface mount technology
 

Next Article

← Previous Article
Next Article →

Questions related to this article?
👉Ask and discuss on Electro-Tech-Online.com and EDAboard.com forums.



Tell Us What You Think!! Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

EE TECH TOOLBOX

“ee
Tech Toolbox: 5G Technology
This Tech Toolbox covers the basics of 5G technology plus a story about how engineers designed and built a prototype DSL router mostly from old cellphone parts. Download this first 5G/wired/wireless communications Tech Toolbox to learn more!

EE Learning Center

EE Learning Center
“engineers
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for EE professionals.

HAVE A QUESTION?

Have a technical question about an article or other engineering questions? Check out our engineering forums EDABoard.com and Electro-Tech-Online.com where you can get those questions asked and answered by your peers!


RSS EDABOARD.com Discussions

  • Industrial Relay Board Design for Motorcycle Use
  • Finding past posts on edaboard?
  • I think i have devised a new type of "super_transformer" for the Electricity grid?
  • What is the purpose of this relay?
  • mosfet driver problem in regeneration mode

RSS Electro-Tech-Online.com Discussions

  • Sump pit water alarm - Kicad 9
  • Pic18f25q10 osccon1 settings swordfish basic
  • Anyone jumped from Easyeda std to Easyeda pro?
  • turbo jet fan - feedback appreciated.
  • More fun with ws2812 this time XC8 and CLC

Featured – LoRa/LoRaWan Series

  • What is the LoRaWAN network and how does it work?
  • Understanding LoRa architecture: nodes, gateways, and servers
  • Revolutionizing RF: LoRa applications and advantages
  • How to build a LoRa gateway using Raspberry Pi
  • How LoRa enables long-range communication
  • How communication works between two LoRa end-node devices

Recent Articles

  • How IoT network topologies work
  • The top five AI startups to watch in 2025
  • STMicroelectronics unveils SoC based on secure MCU
  • Nexperia’s 48 V ESD diodes support higher data rates with ultra-low capacitance design
  • Taoglas releases Patriot antenna with 18 integrated elements covering 600 to 6000 MHz

EE ENGINEERING TRAINING DAYS

engineering

Submit a Guest Post

submit a guest post
Engineers Garage
  • Analog IC TIps
  • Connector Tips
  • Battery Power Tips
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • EE World Online
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • EV Engineering
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • 5G Technology World
  • Subscribe to our newsletter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy

Search Engineers Garage

  • Electronic Projects & Tutorials
    • Electronic Projects
      • Arduino Projects
      • AVR
      • Raspberry pi
      • ESP8266
      • BeagleBone
      • 8051 Microcontroller
      • ARM
      • PIC Microcontroller
      • STM32
    • Tutorials
      • Audio Electronics
      • Battery Management
      • Brainwave
      • Electric Vehicles
      • EMI/EMC/RFI
      • Hardware Filters
      • IoT tutorials
      • Power Tutorials
      • Python
      • Sensors
      • USB
      • VHDL
    • Circuit Design
    • Project Videos
    • Components
  • Articles
    • Tech Articles
    • Insight
    • Invention Stories
    • How to
    • What Is
  • News
    • Electronic Product News
    • Business News
    • Company/Start-up News
    • DIY Reviews
    • Guest Post
  • Forums
    • EDABoard.com
    • Electro-Tech-Online
    • EG Forum Archive
  • DigiKey Store
    • Cables, Wires
    • Connectors, Interconnect
    • Discrete
    • Electromechanical
    • Embedded Computers
    • Enclosures, Hardware, Office
    • Integrated Circuits (ICs)
    • Isolators
    • LED/Optoelectronics
    • Passive
    • Power, Circuit Protection
    • Programmers
    • RF, Wireless
    • Semiconductors
    • Sensors, Transducers
    • Test Products
    • Tools
  • Learn
    • eBooks/Tech Tips
    • Design Guides
    • Learning Center
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Webinars & Digital Events
  • Resources
    • Digital Issues
    • EE Training Days
    • LEAP Awards
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • White Papers
    • Engineering Diversity & Inclusion
    • DesignFast
  • Guest Post Guidelines
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe