IPC-A-610 Training and certification2020-09-24T14:09:34+02:00

IPC-A-610 Training and certification

This is a training based on the document IPC-A-610 in which the acceptance criteria for assembled electronics can be found. The IPC-A-610 comes into view when the electronics are ready to the point that the components are soldered to the circuit board and are ready for installation. The document is intended for, among other things, the final inspection before the product is sent to the customer.

To ensure that the customer receives the product he has ordered and that there are no errors or malfunctions that should not be contained in it, a final inspection is done and this document is a tool for the inspector to carry out that inspection. It consists of a number of chapters in which various topics are discussed, including the general requirements for solder connections. The specific requirements for various components that are currently contained in electronic products.

IPC-A-610 Visual Inspection
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The IPC-A-610 Training and certification is suitable for the following target group:

This training is especially important for inspectors. Inspectors who do a final check of the assembled electronics before it goes to the customer, to be built into the end product or before it is processed internally in the end product.

The inspection is carried out to ensure that there are no errors, that it is the right product and that all components are present and are soldered in the right way. It is also an interesting document for people who order assembled electronics from so-called EMS companies that produce these products.

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The IPC-A-610 Training and certification is interesting for employees of different companies.

The companies that attend this training are mainly the so-called EMS (Electronic Manufacturing Services) companies, companies that assemble printed circuit boards for clients and in particular their inspection departments.

The customers of these companies are also interested in this training, in particular to simplify communication with their suppliers and possibly to be able to perform an incoming inspection of the products. But other companies that are interested, such as design companies that make commissioned designs for their customers, they also regularly follow this training.

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The application of the IPC-A-610 Training certification within companies.

The approach of the IPC-A-610 Training and certification is that you learn what the requirements are for solder connections in general, but also specifically for the various components that are currently used in modern electronic installations.

Furthermore, a number of general issues with regard to IPC and the correct application of the standards is taught. This is applies mainly to the inspection departments and an employee who is certified is actually fully equipped to carry out these inspections and to check the end products before they are sent to a customer.

The added value of the IPC-A-610 Training and certification.

The added value of this IPC-A-610 training lies in the fact that because people know what the criteria are, what the requirements are for the solder connections and the assembled electronics in general (it is not just about solder connections, there are other things addressed as well) you prevent products that do not function properly and that do not meet the requirements from being sent to the customer.

In case a customer receives products that are not in order and which later fail in practice, it can cost a lot of money or customers who are dissatisfied and who are going to claim which can also cost a lot of money. With the training of your inspection staff, people know what the requirements are and fewer bad products are sent to customers, fewer complaints are received and customers are retained, there is no loss of face and there are fewer costs.

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Validity of the IPC-610 certification

If you have not previously been certified for the IPC-610 or your certificate has expired, you will need the initial IPC-610 certification. This has a validity of 2 years.

You must recertify within 6 months before the certificate expires. You have the following options for recertification:

  • IPC-610 Recertification: full training for recertification
  • IPC-610 Challenge Test: only the exam
  • IPC-610 Refreshment of the Standard + Challenge Test

Variant of the IPC-610 certification

IPC-A-610 CIS (Certified IPC Specialist)
This IPC-A-610 Certified IPC Specialist (CIS) variant is intended for operators

IPC-A-610 CIT (Certified IPC Trainer)
This IPC-A-610 Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) variant is intended for anyone who wants to train operators to CIS themselves

IPC-A-610 CSE (Certified Standards Expert)
This IPC-A-610 Certified Standard Expert (CSE) variant is intended for anyone who wants to become an expert in the field of the relevant standard. These experts are often used by companies as coordinators to correctly apply the standard within the company.

Upcoming regional IPC-A-610 training courses

Start dateTrainingLanguageLocation
19 March 2024IPC-A-610GermanBrettenQuote Request
10 April 2024IPC-A-610DutchHeerlenQuote Request
16 April 2024IPC-A-610GermanMünsterQuote Request
23 April 2024IPC-A-610GermanSingenQuote Request
04 June 2024IPC-A-610GermanAmbergQuote Request
11 June 2024IPC-A-610GermanBerlinQuote Request
11 June 2024IPC-A-610EnglishHeerlenQuote Request
02 July 2024IPC-A-610GermanBrettenQuote Request
02 July 2024IPC-A-610GermanMichelstadtQuote Request
17 September 2024ONLINE IPC-A-610GermanONLINEQuote Request
24 September 2024IPC-A-610GermanBrettenQuote Request
01 October 2024ONLINE IPC-A-610EnglishONLINEQuote Request
15 October 2024IPC-A-610GermanMünsterQuote Request
22 October 2024IPC-A-610GermanSingenQuote Request
28 October 2024IPC-A-610DutchHeerlenQuote Request
05 November 2024IPC-A-610GermanAmbergQuote Request
26 November 2024IPC-A-610GermanMichelstadtQuote Request
26 November 2024IPC-A-610EnglishHeerlenQuote Request
03 December 2024IPC-A-610GermanBrettenQuote Request
03 December 2024IPC-A-610GermanBerlinQuote Request

More information:

Please do not hesitate to contact us for a complete training program, more information, or other training-related issues. By phone +31-(0)45-5703333, by email support@piektraining.com or request a quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IPC mean by disposition?2020-09-29T11:12:56+02:00

Disposition is a technical term used to indicate that a product is not approved. The product is “disposed” (put aside) and then it is decided (usually in agreement with the customer) what to do with it to get it functioning. Think of: rework (improve), use as is (leave as is), repair or (in the worst case) scrap of the product.

What is the maximum damage allowed on a conductor?2020-09-29T12:05:17+02:00

The IPC-A-600 and the IPC-A-610 describes how much a conductor may be damaged maximum in width. This damage depends on the product class and is indicated in %.

What is the maximum component damage according to IPC?2020-09-29T11:16:15+02:00

You should never use/assemble damaged components. But if components are assembled undamaged and then machine soldered and they come out of the wave soldering machine / reflow oven with a small damage, then it is good to know what is maximum permissible. This can be found in IPC-A-610 and in J-STD-001 standard.

Can contamination reduce the life of the product?2020-09-29T12:48:53+02:00

Yes. This is explained in the IPC-6012 training and also in the IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 training program.

According to IPC, do you have to wear ESD-safe gloves when handling ESD-sensitive products?2020-09-29T11:13:51+02:00

No, wearing ESD-safe gloves is better, but it is not mandatory by IPC. When you touch (lift up) the printed circuit boards (and also assembled printed circuit boards) at the edge (or at the corner), no contamination (finger spots) will occur on the surface and the ESD safety is guaranteed if you are grounded (by a wrist strap) , ESD safe shoes and an ESD safe jacket). Note: these safety devices only work in an ESD safe workplace (EPA). For further information, see IPC-A-610, IEC-61340-5-1 and ANSI / ESD-S-20.20.

What does IPC mean by wire diameter?2020-09-29T11:13:22+02:00

The wire diameter is the total/overall diameter of the wire (including insulation). This is also called the outside diameter. This is described in the IPC-A-610, J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard.

What does AABUS mean?2020-09-29T12:01:46+02:00

AABUS is the abbreviation of “As Agreed Between User and Supplier”. This abbreviation often occurs in an IPC standard.

Who determines in which product class a product is produced?2020-09-29T11:11:02+02:00

IPC has 3 product classes: class 1 (consumer electronics), class 2 (industrial electronics) and class 3 (high reliability electronics). The customer may determine the product class in which the product must be produced. It is important that the inspector knows according to which product class of IPC he must inspect, because otherwise too many products will be unnecessarily rejected!

After soldering, the insulation of the wire has melted slightly, is this allowed for class 3?2020-09-29T11:00:55+02:00

Yes that is allowed. It’s almost impossible that this will not happen. Due to the heat from the soldering iron, the insulation always melts slightly backwards …..unless you use a heat shunt (heat sink) or a heat-resistant insulation (such as Kapton/Teflon). The insulation may melt but not burn / char. For detailed pictures see IPC-A-610 or the IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard.

How much light do you need in your workplace?2020-09-29T11:12:23+02:00

IPC indicates that the minimum lighting in the workplace should be about 1000 lm / m2 in order to be able to work (solder) and inspect properly. The colour temperature is also indicated. For further information see the IPC-A-610, J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 standard.

How should you tie wires in a cable harness according to IPC?2020-09-29T11:15:36+02:00

There are 2 methods indicated by IPC:

  1. with cable ties (tyraps)
  2. with lacing (knots)

Illustrations and requirements can be found in IPC-A-610 and IPC/WHMA-A-620.

Is it possible to repair a delamination on a PCB?2020-09-29T12:08:39+02:00

Yes, this repair procedure is described in the IPC-7711/7721 standard. The maximum size of a delamination depends on the product class. This is described in the IPC-A-600, the IPC-A-610 and IPC-6012 standard.

What does FOD mean?2020-09-29T12:49:19+02:00

FOD is the abbreviation for “Foreign Object Debris” and means contamination by foreign objects (fluff, hair, material residues) on the surface. This abbreviation is often used in the IPC-A-600, IPC-A-610, IPC-6012 and contradicts “Foreign Object Damage” (FOD) which is often used in aircraft (and aerospace) products.

What is the difference between the J-STD-001 and the IPC-A-610 standard or training program?2020-09-29T10:55:54+02:00

The IPC-A-610 is a standard for the final inspection of assembled electronics products, a kind of photo album with which you can evaluate complete assembled printed circuit boards. You will see the text next to the picture in the book whether this is target, acceptable, a process indicator or a defect. But…. “Why is this happening?” that will be discussed in the J-STD-001 training program. This standard describes the underlying (background) information about the production process in the assembly department. When the humidity gets too high you will have problems with voids (pin holes/blow holes) in the solder joint, if the humidity gets too low you will have problems with ESD etc. This and many more aspects are covered in the J-STD-001 training. A J-STD-001 training also involves soldering practice (practical skills), while this is not the case with an IPC-A-610 training (only theory).

What is the correct mounting sequence for screw connections?2020-09-29T11:14:19+02:00

This is described in the IPC-A-610. It is important that, for example, no locking ring / spring washer may be mounted on a plastic printed circuit board surface without an underlying flat washer. The correct choice of material (of the screw / bolt) is also important with the corresponding tightening torque of the screw. You can find the tightening torques on the website of the screw supplier.

What is the maximum PCB damage according to IPC?2020-09-29T11:16:42+02:00

Especially when rework with a hot air gun you often see small spots on the PCB surface. Is this allowed? This and more PCB surface damage (such as delamination, blisters, also on flexible printed circuit boards, etc.) are described in the IPC-A-610 and in the J-STD-001 standard.

What does IPC mean by a process indicator?2020-09-29T11:11:55+02:00

A process indicator is a deviation on the product (not a defect) that does not affect function, fit or reliability. Think of “minor flaws” such as a slight discoloration of the insulation, a solder joint with a small void (pin hole), etc. The product works fine but it does not look so neat. The cause is usually in the tool (wear), machine (setting), but can also be caused by a personal error (wrong action).

A gold edge contact on our product has been contaminated with solder. Can you repair this?2020-09-29T12:06:21+02:00

Yes, the repair procedure is described in the IPC-7711/7721. The maximum contamination of gold-plated edge contacts is described in the IPC-A-600 and the IPC-A-610 standard.

An pad/land has been lifted, is this allowed?2020-09-29T12:05:47+02:00

The IPC-A-600 and the IPC-A-610 describe how much an pad/land may be lifted.

With what magnification factor do you have to inspect the cleanliness of the printed circuit board?2020-09-29T10:58:14+02:00

This is stated in both the IPC-A-610 and the J-STD-001. IPC prescribes that the inspection magnification for cleanliness can take place without magnification (with bare eyes). However, “high density boards” (printed circuit boards on which the components are placed very close next to each other) and with fine-pitch components (SMD components where the leads are very close together), magnification may be necessary. In the tables in the standards you will find exactly which inspection magnification and referee magnification factor is required.

Is there a product class classification for the IPC-A-610?2020-09-29T12:00:00+02:00

Yes, IPC has made a product classification in every standard, including the IPC-A-610.

This product classification is as follows:

  • IPC-A-610 Class 1 – General electronic products (e.g. consumer electronics, these are products where the main requirement is the function of the final product)
  • IPC-A-610 Class 2 – Dedicated service electronics (e.g. industrial machines, test equipment, etc. these are products that have to work longer, if they fail, a lot of money will be lost)
  • IPC-A-610 Class 3 – High reliability electronics (e.g. aircraft, military products and life-supporting medical equipment, these products may not fail otherwise it is life-threatening).