Options in nondestructive testing of components and PCB's

The feasibility and necessity of in-process nondestructive testing is gaining widespread acceptance. NDT procedures are used when traditional testing and inspection result in an unwanted destruction of the part (e.g., testing a fuse), or are impractical (as in the disassembly of a potted circuit). Numerous NDT methods have been developed to evaluate bare and populated printed circuit boards (PCB's) and components, the most common of which are described.