PCB Trace Repair (Need to keep track shape?)











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Need to repair a trace on my PCB. The burnt trace has a hairpin turn on it. Instead of following the same hairpin shape, can I just bridge across the undamaged points at the bottom? And also, the printed "TF b=0.4mm" on the PCB, does it have any significance to it? Next to it appears 0.6mm that has the same hairpin shape, but trace looks a bit wider. I have superimposed two pics together. One has light shone through the PCBpcb










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    Need to repair a trace on my PCB. The burnt trace has a hairpin turn on it. Instead of following the same hairpin shape, can I just bridge across the undamaged points at the bottom? And also, the printed "TF b=0.4mm" on the PCB, does it have any significance to it? Next to it appears 0.6mm that has the same hairpin shape, but trace looks a bit wider. I have superimposed two pics together. One has light shone through the PCBpcb










    share|improve this question







    New contributor




    Newbie ET is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      1
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      1
      down vote

      favorite











      Need to repair a trace on my PCB. The burnt trace has a hairpin turn on it. Instead of following the same hairpin shape, can I just bridge across the undamaged points at the bottom? And also, the printed "TF b=0.4mm" on the PCB, does it have any significance to it? Next to it appears 0.6mm that has the same hairpin shape, but trace looks a bit wider. I have superimposed two pics together. One has light shone through the PCBpcb










      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Newbie ET is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.











      Need to repair a trace on my PCB. The burnt trace has a hairpin turn on it. Instead of following the same hairpin shape, can I just bridge across the undamaged points at the bottom? And also, the printed "TF b=0.4mm" on the PCB, does it have any significance to it? Next to it appears 0.6mm that has the same hairpin shape, but trace looks a bit wider. I have superimposed two pics together. One has light shone through the PCBpcb







      trace






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      Newbie ET is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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      share|improve this question







      New contributor




      Newbie ET is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.









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      asked 6 hours ago









      Newbie ET

      61




      61




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      New contributor





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          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          5
          down vote













          Since they're labeled TF, it's safe to state they're thermal fuses.



          Therefor, since inductance is likely irrelevant, you could replace them with through-hole fuses of the correct value. The current value depends on copper layer thickness, but for 1 oz. Cu, 0.4 mm would be about 1.5 A and 0.6 mm ~2.5 A... but it would be better to find out what the actual current ratings are.



          N.B. Since that 0.4 mm trace is thoroughly fried, first fix the issue that burned it out. The fuse has a purpose, and it likely prevented further damage or even a fire, so don't just bypass it.






          share|improve this answer




























            up vote
            0
            down vote













            Keep the track shape, the design probably intended either forming an inductor from the trace or a thermal separation or fuse. Keep the wire's cross sectional area to be a similar size of the trace. If you do make a repair, make sure the root cause of the burned trace is identified, otherwise a wire repair may end up burning out also.






            share|improve this answer























            • It could also be meant as a fuse.
              – TimWescott
              6 hours ago










            • Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
              – Newbie ET
              5 hours ago











            Your Answer





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            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes








            2 Answers
            2






            active

            oldest

            votes









            active

            oldest

            votes






            active

            oldest

            votes








            up vote
            5
            down vote













            Since they're labeled TF, it's safe to state they're thermal fuses.



            Therefor, since inductance is likely irrelevant, you could replace them with through-hole fuses of the correct value. The current value depends on copper layer thickness, but for 1 oz. Cu, 0.4 mm would be about 1.5 A and 0.6 mm ~2.5 A... but it would be better to find out what the actual current ratings are.



            N.B. Since that 0.4 mm trace is thoroughly fried, first fix the issue that burned it out. The fuse has a purpose, and it likely prevented further damage or even a fire, so don't just bypass it.






            share|improve this answer

























              up vote
              5
              down vote













              Since they're labeled TF, it's safe to state they're thermal fuses.



              Therefor, since inductance is likely irrelevant, you could replace them with through-hole fuses of the correct value. The current value depends on copper layer thickness, but for 1 oz. Cu, 0.4 mm would be about 1.5 A and 0.6 mm ~2.5 A... but it would be better to find out what the actual current ratings are.



              N.B. Since that 0.4 mm trace is thoroughly fried, first fix the issue that burned it out. The fuse has a purpose, and it likely prevented further damage or even a fire, so don't just bypass it.






              share|improve this answer























                up vote
                5
                down vote










                up vote
                5
                down vote









                Since they're labeled TF, it's safe to state they're thermal fuses.



                Therefor, since inductance is likely irrelevant, you could replace them with through-hole fuses of the correct value. The current value depends on copper layer thickness, but for 1 oz. Cu, 0.4 mm would be about 1.5 A and 0.6 mm ~2.5 A... but it would be better to find out what the actual current ratings are.



                N.B. Since that 0.4 mm trace is thoroughly fried, first fix the issue that burned it out. The fuse has a purpose, and it likely prevented further damage or even a fire, so don't just bypass it.






                share|improve this answer












                Since they're labeled TF, it's safe to state they're thermal fuses.



                Therefor, since inductance is likely irrelevant, you could replace them with through-hole fuses of the correct value. The current value depends on copper layer thickness, but for 1 oz. Cu, 0.4 mm would be about 1.5 A and 0.6 mm ~2.5 A... but it would be better to find out what the actual current ratings are.



                N.B. Since that 0.4 mm trace is thoroughly fried, first fix the issue that burned it out. The fuse has a purpose, and it likely prevented further damage or even a fire, so don't just bypass it.







                share|improve this answer












                share|improve this answer



                share|improve this answer










                answered 5 hours ago









                DrMoishe Pippik

                6065




                6065
























                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote













                    Keep the track shape, the design probably intended either forming an inductor from the trace or a thermal separation or fuse. Keep the wire's cross sectional area to be a similar size of the trace. If you do make a repair, make sure the root cause of the burned trace is identified, otherwise a wire repair may end up burning out also.






                    share|improve this answer























                    • It could also be meant as a fuse.
                      – TimWescott
                      6 hours ago










                    • Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                      – Newbie ET
                      5 hours ago















                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote













                    Keep the track shape, the design probably intended either forming an inductor from the trace or a thermal separation or fuse. Keep the wire's cross sectional area to be a similar size of the trace. If you do make a repair, make sure the root cause of the burned trace is identified, otherwise a wire repair may end up burning out also.






                    share|improve this answer























                    • It could also be meant as a fuse.
                      – TimWescott
                      6 hours ago










                    • Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                      – Newbie ET
                      5 hours ago













                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote










                    up vote
                    0
                    down vote









                    Keep the track shape, the design probably intended either forming an inductor from the trace or a thermal separation or fuse. Keep the wire's cross sectional area to be a similar size of the trace. If you do make a repair, make sure the root cause of the burned trace is identified, otherwise a wire repair may end up burning out also.






                    share|improve this answer














                    Keep the track shape, the design probably intended either forming an inductor from the trace or a thermal separation or fuse. Keep the wire's cross sectional area to be a similar size of the trace. If you do make a repair, make sure the root cause of the burned trace is identified, otherwise a wire repair may end up burning out also.







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited 6 hours ago

























                    answered 6 hours ago









                    laptop2d

                    23.3k123175




                    23.3k123175












                    • It could also be meant as a fuse.
                      – TimWescott
                      6 hours ago










                    • Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                      – Newbie ET
                      5 hours ago


















                    • It could also be meant as a fuse.
                      – TimWescott
                      6 hours ago










                    • Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                      – Newbie ET
                      5 hours ago
















                    It could also be meant as a fuse.
                    – TimWescott
                    6 hours ago




                    It could also be meant as a fuse.
                    – TimWescott
                    6 hours ago












                    Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                    – Newbie ET
                    5 hours ago




                    Thank you for those who have answered. Besides the fried trace, there's also an exploded varistor (14D241K) on the other side of the PCB. The two legs above the burnt hairpin is where the varistor is soldered. I guess it's all part of the voltage surge protection. I plan to replace the varistor, just not sure how to proceed with the hairpin trace. Great input from you guys.
                    – Newbie ET
                    5 hours ago










                    Newbie ET is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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