Ask Helena & Leo

Question: In IPC-A-610 section 9.4 on page 9-8 component damage there seems to be a lack of class three acceptable requirements for nicks or chip-outs in ceramic bodied components that are not in the termination area. Could you elaborate on the requirement please?

Answer: In reviewing the information, one has to review the entire page and make some interpretation as to the context itself.

I’ve copied the section for ease of explanation and provided my interpretation at the end of this email. All rights belong to the IPC and this copy is strictly for interpretation and explanation.

The way some of the conditions are defined in IPC documents must be interpreted from the language as it is written on the page.

The target condition mentions the requirements for all 3 classes of products, whereas the acceptable condition only discusses Class 1 and 2 and it provides information as it relates to Table 9-1 and the need of meeting the requirements of the particulars of the contents of the table. The contents of the table 9-1 are for conditions that are not in the termination area and are conditions for all three classes of products as interpreted from reading the Defect condition for Class 1, 2 and 3.

The defect condition on the page discusses the requirements for all 3 classes and it mentions “…any nicks or chip-out in the termination area, or exposing and electrode, any cracks or stress fractures, or any damage in excess of Table 9-1..” are cause for identifying the condition as defective.

The interpretation is, if the condition is not defective then it is acceptable. Hence the paragraph identified as Acceptable Class 1 and 2 also implies that the condition is acceptable for Class 3 products.