Institute for Printed Circuits (IPC) Testing & Certification
Streamline your PCB testing and certification process with Element's end-to-end IPC certification and testing services, backed by experts who help shape industry standards. We deliver certainty through high-quality data, reliable test reports, and trusted certificates that ensure your printed circuit boards meet all required standards. Our industry-leading expertise and efficient testing processes help you maintain compliance while reducing time to market.
What is Institute of Printed Circuits (IPC) Testing & Certification at Element?
Many printed circuit board suppliers must be qualified to build per the IPC-6012, IPC-6013, IPC-6016, or IPC-6018 standards. A sound qualification program should include lot acceptance testing and periodic quality conformance testing. Element is accredited by IPC to inspect and test printed boards, components, and materials, and to validate products subject to IPC standards.
What can Element offer you for ICP Testing & Certification?
Key Tests Offered
Key Tests Offered
Element's solutions for IPC testing of Printed Circuit Boards include full qualification testing, lot acceptance testing, periodic quality conformance testing, and root cause failure analysis.
Our testing capabilities cover all the tests and methods specified by the major IPC standards, including:
- Visual Examination
- Solderability (Surface and Through Hole)
- Dimensional
- Plating Adhesion
- Bond Strength for Type 1 boards
- Plated Through Hole Construction Integrity (prior to Stress)
- Plated Through Hole Construction Integrity after Thermal Stress
- Plated Through Hole Construction Integrity after Rework Simulation
- Dielectric Withstanding Voltage
- Continuity
- Insulation Resistance
- Thermal Shock
- Cleanliness
- Moisture and Insulation Resistance
- Bending Flexibility (used for a flex-to-install type of application)
- Flexible Endurance (used for a continuous flex type of application)
- Bond Strength of the Stiffener
Components And Products We Test
Components And Products We Test
We deliver comprehensive testing across all levels of electronic products, starting with materials testing of PCB laminate, copper, solder mask, conformal coating, final finishes, and soldering materials. Our expertise extends to adhesives, marking inks, and components, ensuring complete validation from individual components to finished assemblies.
Which Labs Offer This Service
Which Labs Offer This Service
Notably among our circuit board testing labs worldwide, our Anaheim, CA and Baltimore, MD labs, formerly known as Microtek and Trace Labs, have more than 30 years of experience partnering with leading OEMs and manufacturers.
Expertise That Comes To You
Expertise That Comes To You
We offer flexible delivery of services including on-site testing, remote options, and customizable qualification programs tailored to your specific needs and supplier agreements. We provide industry-leading IPC training courses through our Master IPC Trainers (MITs), available at Element locations, remotely, or at your site. Our training programs cover key areas including PCB acceptability, electronic assemblies, and wire harness requirements.
Standards we test to and materials we test
- PCB Laminate
- Copper
- Solder Mask
- Conformal Coating
- Final Finishes
- Soldering Materials
- Adhesives
- Marking Inks
- Components
- Bare PCBs
- Completed PCAs
- Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies
Your Challenges, Our Solutions
Complex Compliance Requirements
Quality Assurance Demands
Training and Expertise Gaps
Time-Critical Testing Needs
Why Choose Element
Industry Leadership
Complete Testing Solutions
Expert Training Delivery
Trusted Expertise
Frequently asked questions
What should an IPC qualification program include?
Both the IPC-6012C and IPC-6013B documents, as well as others in the IPC-6010 performance specification series, indicate that the qualification program is “as agreed between user and supplier” (AABUS). This means that you, as the user, have the flexibility to select any combination of specific tests or the entire array of tests for the supplier’s boards to undergo. Our experts recommend that a robust qualification program should include lot acceptance testing and periodic quality conformance testing to ensure product consistency.
What IPC committees do Element experts serve on?
Members of Element’s staff serve as chairs or vice chairs of several IPC committees including the Assembly and Joining Committee, the Testing Committee, the J-STD-004 Flux Specification group, the SIR task group, and the Ionic Conductivity task group. Element experts also contribute to numerous other committees as well as vote on the IPC advisory committee, the TAEC, Technical Activities Executive Committee.
Explore our global network of labs and find your nearest location
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Conformal Coating & Inspection Testing
Element offers advanced conformal coating testing and PCB inspection to detect adhesion, electrical, and contamination issues, helping manufacturers meet industry standards and improve product reliability.
Surface Insulation Resistance (SIR) Testing
Measure the reliability of your printed circuit boards under real-world temperature and humidity conditions with surface insulation resistance (SIR) testing from Element.
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IPC training courses at Element
In the printed circuit board (PCB) and printed circuit assembly (PCA) world, IPC training courses are the industry standard for evaluation and certification. Based on specific areas of expertise, the IPC training courses cover all of the key areas of the PCB/PCA construction process. Element employs multiple Master IPC Trainers (MIT’s) to help certify you at many Element locations, as well as remote or in-person or at your location. Click here for more information and to see the current course schedule.
Our training includes the following programs:
- IPC-A-600 – Acceptability of Printed Boards: The must-have training for understanding the acceptance criteria associated with printed circuit boards.
- IPC-A-610 – Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies: The most widely referenced standard from IPC, which is the foundation for most PCB/PCA QA departments.
- IPC-6012 – Qualification and Performance Specification for Rigid Printed Boards: Typically ties to IPC-A-600, this document is dedicated to the acceptance testing and requirements associated with rigid boards.
- IPC/WHMA-A-620 – Requirements and Acceptance for Cable and Wire Harness Assemblies: The IPC-A-600/A-610 version as it pertains to cable and wire harnesses.
Element PCB experts developed the latest IPC-A-600 MIT/CIT/CIS training class, as well as the IPC-6012/600 MIT/CIT/CIS training classes.