TECHNICAL GUIDES
IPC Class 2 vs Class 3: How to Choose for Your PCB
IPC Class 2 vs Class 3: How to ChooseMeasurable Differences for Mission-Critical Reliability
What the Three Classes Mean
Function is the priority; cosmetic imperfections are acceptable. Cost-driven, high-volume products.
Must perform reliably, but extended service life is not critical and interruption is tolerable.
Continued or on-demand performance is critical — downtime cannot be tolerated, even in harsh environments.
The Measurable Differences
✅ Class 2 — Dedicated Service
- Annular ring: 90° of breakout allowed
- Hole wall voids: tolerance-based
- THT fillet: need not reach lead top
- BGA voids: not tightly controlled
- SMT wetting: minor dewetting acceptable
✅ Class 3 — High Reliability
- Annular ring: no breakout permitted
- Hole wall voids: strict limits on critical planes
- THT fillet: must wet to lead top
- BGA voids: strictly limited by ball diameter
- SMT wetting: full wetting, no dewetting
Who Actually Needs Class 3?
If your product is consumer electronics, office equipment, or general industrial automation with spare redundancy, Class 2 is the right, cost-effective choice — Class 3 would add cost without a reliability benefit.
What Class 3 Costs You
A 5-Step Decision Flow
We manufacture IPC-A-600/610 Class 2 by default and offer Class 3 for medical, aerospace, and automotive projects — including 100% X-Ray for BGA/QFN and complete digital traceability. Send us your files, and a free DFM review will confirm which class your design realistically requires.
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