A printed circuit board (PCB), is used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways, or traces, etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive subatrate.Alternative names are printed wiring board (PWB) and etched wiring board.A PCB populated with electronic components is a printed circuit assembly (PCA), also known as a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).

PCBs are highly reliable and although there is a higher initial cost than either wire-wrapped or point-to-pint constructed circuits, they are much cheaper and faster for high-volume production.