Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1546933
46 SMT007 MAGAZINE I OCTOBER 2026 F E AT U R E A RT I C L E BY F R A N C ES CA P I N TO, S P E A Power electronics board assemblies are central to modern vehicle power systems. They include voltage regulators, motor drivers, inverters, DC-DC converters, and onboard chargers, which are found across the range of today's vehicles, from conventional combustion engines to hybrids and full electric vehicles. However, modern power PCBAs do far more than just route and manage electrical energy flow through the vehicle, converting and regulating power for everything from the starter and alter- nator to the traction motor. Today, they also carry the diagnostics, thermal monitoring, and real-time communications that keep that power flow safe and predictable under harsh ambient conditions. This dual role drives the integration of complex, high-power components at unprecedented produc- tion volumes. When combined with a strict zero- tolerance policy for defects and rapid cycle times, these manufacturing factors make it essential to understand exactly where test strategies fall short and what it actually takes to close those gaps. Why Automotive Power Electronics Boards Are Hard to Test At automotive production volumes, a zero-defect mandate means test coverage can't be optional. Even a fraction of a percent in undetected defects translates into thousands of failed units once multi- plied across the line, resulting in catastrophic field failures and costly recalls. What It Takes to Test Automotive Power Electronics Assemblies