Plated through-holes and vias are both used in printed circuit boards (PCBs) to create electrical connections between different layers of the board. However, there are some differences between them:
Plated Through-Hole (PTH): These are holes drilled through the entire PCB with metal plating on the walls of the hole, allowing components to be soldered on both sides of the board. PTHs are typically used for components that need to be securely attached to the board and also provide electrical connections between multiple layers of the PCB.
Via: A via is a hole that only connects different layers of the PCB, without any component being mounted to it. Vias can be divided into two types:
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Non-plated Vias: These are simply holes used to provide electrical connections between layers of a PCB but do not have metal plating within the hole. They are usually used for more basic PCB designs.
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Plated Vias: These are holes that are plated with metal, allowing them to conduct electricity between layers. Plated vias can carry signals between different layers of the PCB and are essential for complex multi-layer PCBs.
In summary, plated through-holes are used for mounting components and providing inter-layer electrical connections, while vias are primarily used for internal interconnections within the PCB.