What are the most common applications of PCBs across different industries? You’ll find them in medical devices, everyday appliances, and industrial equipment. In this article, we go over the top common uses and types of devices in which you will find them. We invite you to read on!

8 PCB Applications in Different Industries

So, how and where are printed circuit boards (PCBs) used? Here’s an overview of the most common applications!

LED Lights

LED lights are everywhere, and in every LED, there’s a printed circuit board. Their role in LEDs is to transfer heat away from the bulbs as well as to make them work effectively. In remote-steered LEDs, it's the PCB (and the components attached to it) that build the embedded system responsible for the connectivity.

When it comes to practical applications, you will find LED lights:

  • in private residences,
  • on storefronts,
  • in computer displays,
  • in medical facilities.

The single application of PCBs can be observed in a wide range of industries. But this is just the beginning.

Medical Devices

You will also find PCBs in different medical devices, all of which are embedded systems. In this case, you have to focus on the right type of PCB materials and the PCB itself. Medical equipment needs to be accurate and often work in real-time, providing detailed information on the patient’s state. Therefore, you will more likely find PTFE (Teflon) PCBs in medical equipment rather than other types.

Which specific medical devices run on PCBs in the first place? For instance:

  • medical imaging systems, such as CT, CAT, and ultrasonic scanners,
  • vital sign monitors, such as heart rate monitors, blood pressure monitors, and blood glucose monitors,
  • infusion pumps,
  • pacemakers.

Industrial Equipment

PCB applications also include industrial equipment, where embedded systems play a crucial role. They are a building block of multiple solutions, such as:

  • electric drills,
  • electric presses,
  • power inverters,
  • industrial sensors.

In the end, without PCBs and embedded systems built on them, it would be impossible to power up and control industrial equipment, making them a critical part of industrial robotization and automation.

Automotive Components

Embedded systems in the automotive industry are common—high-end vehicles may have over 50 of them per unit. But with each embedded system comes a PCB. So, what pieces of car equipment rely on printed circuit boards?

  • entertainment systems,
  • car navigation systems,
  • engine management systems,
  • car sensors.

These elements are often required for the safety of the car journey. Like medical equipment, they need to have real-time operating capabilities, making it more challenging to select the right PCBs to run such embedded systems on.

Aerospace Industry

Similarily to the automotive industry, the aerospace industry operates on embedded systems used in critical equipment. Hence, PCBs are an essential element of:

  • power supplies for aircraft, control towers, satellites and similar systems,
  • monitoring equipment used in aircraft, like accelerometers or pressure sensors,
  • communication equipment used in aircraft and control towers.

Consumer Electronics

No modern consumer device works without a printed circuit board. PCBs are fundamental to our daily life and comfort, being at the heart of:

  • smartphones,
  • tablets,
  • laptops and desktop computers,
  • smart home devices (like smart thermostats, speakers, and security systems),
  • televisions and gaming consoles.

The ongoing miniaturization trend in electronics has also pushed PCB design to evolve rapidly—allowing complex functionality to be packed into increasingly compact boards.

Telecommunications

The telecommunications sector relies heavily on PCBs for stable, high-speed communication systems. Common applications include:

  • mobile phone base stations,
  • signal boosters,
  • fiber-optic network infrastructure,
  • routers and modems.

PCBs used in this sector often require high-frequency laminates and special materials to maintain signal integrity and avoid loss.

Marine and Naval Technology

PCBs are also widely used in marine applications, particularly where navigation, communication, and control systems are involved. For example:

  • radar and sonar systems,
  • satellite communication systems on ships,
  • engine control units for maritime vessels.

The application of PCBs in this industry requires building printed circuit boards that are resistant to corrosion and moisture. After all, these are the conditions such PCBs (and whole embedded systems) will need to withstand on a daily basis.

Conclusion

PCBs have multiple application across different industries. Whether you build LED lights, manufacture consumer electronics od design industrial equipment, they will be a part of the final product. Therefore, you have to invest in the right PCB for your goals. We can help you with that and design a custom PCB just for you at Conclusive Engineering. Discover our custom PCB design & manufacturing services and see how we can help you!