EMC Hub

10 YouTube Channels for PCB Designers and Design Engineers: Beginner to Pro!

Written by DENPAFLUX Editorial Team | Mar 7, 2024 12:00:46 PM

If you're interested in learning more about PCB design, YouTube is a great resource. There are a number of channels that offer high-quality tutorials, walkthroughs, and discussions on all aspects of PCB design.

As a design engineer, it's crucial to have a thirst for knowledge and a drive for self-improvement. These YouTube channels have been carefully selected to provide a diverse range of insights, techniques, and troubleshooting skills, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals. Whether you're seeking foundational knowledge or advanced tips and tricks, these channels offer an abundance of valuable content that will empower you on your PCB design journey.

Start exploring these channels today and take your PCB design skills to the next level. Remember, the journey of becoming a pro-PCB designer is a marathon, not a sprint. Happy learning!

Please note, these are not ranked or ordered—they are simply the top 10 channels that we recommend for anyone interested in PCB design, from novices to seasoned professionals. Each channel offers a wealth of invaluable content to guide you on your journey to becoming a proficient PCB designer.

1. Phil's Lab @PhilsLab

Phil's Lab is a YouTube channel dedicated to analog and digital electronics design, PCB design, control systems, digital signal processing, and much more. The channel, which currently has 161K subscribers and 149 videos, is a treasure trove of information for anyone interested in these topics.

For PCB designers, in particular, Phil's Lab offers a wealth of knowledge. The channel features numerous videos on PCB design, including tutorials on using KiCad for STM32 hardware design and JLCPCB assembly. These videos provide detailed walkthroughs of the design process, making them invaluable resources for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

In addition to PCB design, the channel also delves into other areas of electronics design. For instance, there are videos on FPGA design, boost converter design, and digital signal processing. These topics can provide PCB designers with a broader understanding of electronics design.

Phil's Lab also offers a series of videos on control systems, which are crucial in many electronics applications. These videos cover topics like system identification with MATLAB and modeling of dynamic systems, providing a solid foundation in control systems design.

Overall, Phil's Lab is an excellent resource for PCB designers. The channel's comprehensive and detailed tutorials can help designers enhance their skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques in electronic design.

2. Robert Feranec @RobertFeranec 

Robert Feranec's YouTube channel is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in electronics, PCB layout, high-speed design, and board design. With 158K subscribers and 526 videos, the channel provides a wealth of information on these topics.

Robert Feranec's channel is pretty famous among PCB designers; if you haven't heard about it then you are missing out on an important source of knowledge. It features a variety of videos that delve into the intricacies of PCB layout, offering insights into high-speed design, board design, and more. These videos cover everything from the basics to more advanced topics, making the channel a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

The channel also offers a series of tutorials on how to design and build your own board, providing step-by-step instructions that can guide PCB designers through the entire process. These tutorials cover everything from drawing schematics and creating schematic symbols to doing PCB layouts and generating manufacturing outputs.

In addition to these tutorials, the channel features videos on specific topics related to PCB design. For instance, there are videos explaining why 50 Ω impedance is used in PCB layout, how to connect Altium with mechanical CAD software, and how to simulate PCBs with open-source software. These videos can help PCB designers understand the underlying principles of PCB design and apply them in their work.

Robert Feranec's YouTube channel also offers a series of lessons from the FEDEVEL Academy, which can provide PCB designers with more in-depth knowledge on specific topics. These lessons cover topics like Altium essentials, advanced PCB layout, and high-speed PCB design rules.

Overall, Robert Feranec's YouTube channel is a fantastic resource for PCB designers. It offers a wide range of videos that can help designers enhance their skills, understand the principles of PCB design, and stay updated with the latest trends and techniques in the field.

3. Dario Fresu @fresudario 

Dario Fresu's channel, with over 21K subscribers and 135 videos, focuses on electronics and PCB design.

The founder of the channel, Dario Fresu, is a seasoned professional with a deep-rooted passion for electronics and PCB design. He holds an engineering degree in electronics and telecommunications and industry certifications including IPC CID (Certified Interconnect Designer). He is also a member of the Printed Circuit Engineering Association (PCEA) and the IEEE EMC society, and he stays up to date with the latest advancements in the field.

The channel offers a variety of videos that delve into the intricacies of PCB design and electronics. These videos cover everything from the basics to more advanced topics, making the channel a valuable resource for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

One of the key offerings of the channel is a comprehensive guide on building an electronic speed controller. This guide takes viewers step by step through the entire hardware design process.

The channel also features videos on specific topics related to PCB design. For instance, there are videos explaining how to design and build your own STM32 electric motor controller compatible with the VESC tool, how to get started with hardware design, and how to do schematic design like a pro with KiCad 7.

4.Mach One Design EMC 
@MachOneDesignEMC

Mach One Design EMC is not just a YouTube channel, but one of our favorite resources and one of the most effective ways of learning about electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and electromagnetic interference (EMI). The channel, with over 4.1K subscribers and 87 videos, is an excellent resource for anyone interested in EMC.

The channel is run by Dr. Min Zhang, an independent EMC consultant, who brings his expertise and knowledge to the table in each video. The channel offers a variety of videos that delve into the intricacies of EMC, providing insights into EMC pre-compliance, troubleshooting, and design.

For PCB designers, this channel is particularly beneficial. It features a series of videos on EMC pre-compliance testing, including videos on bulk current injection, radiated immunity pre-compliance tests, and conducted emission EMC pre-compliance tests. These videos provide detailed walkthroughs of the testing process, making them invaluable resources for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

In addition to these tutorials, the channel also features videos on specific topics related to EMC. For instance, there are videos explaining the EMI impact of a switching event, radiated emissions caused by ESD events, and how to locate a resonant structure that can cause radiated emission/immunity issues.

5. Altium Academy @AltiumAcademy

Altium Academy is not just a YouTube channel, but a gold mine for PCB designers. It is an online platform designed to provide modern education to PCB designers and engineers worldwide. With over 70K subscribers and 1.1K videos, the channel offers a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs.

The channel is run by Altium LLC, a global software company based in San Diego, California. Altium Academy's mission is to help you become a better designer and engineer, regardless of your level of experience.

One of the most diverse and highly curated content channels, Altium Academy covers a wide range of topics. For PCB designers, there are numerous videos on Altium Designer, a leading PCB design software package. Their videos provide detailed tutorials on how to start a project in Altium Designer, how to make a DIY differential oscilloscope probe, and how to safely power up a circuit board, among others.

Altium Academy also offers a series of lessons from industry legends, where they share their career knowledge and review real-life design projects. These lessons are invaluable for PCB designers looking to learn from experienced professionals in the field.

In addition to these resources, the channel features a series of on-demand webinars. These webinars discuss trending industry topics and provide guidance on how to leverage different design tools and solutions. They are an excellent resource for staying up to date with the latest developments in the field.

Overall, Altium Academy is a fantastic resource for PCB designers. It offers a wide range of videos that can help designers enhance their skills and understand the principles of PCB design. With its diverse and highly curated content, it's no wonder it's one of our favorite channels and a gold mine for learning about PCB design.

6. OMICRON Lab Tutorials @OMICRONLabTutorials

OMICRON Lab Tutorials is a YouTube channel dedicated to providing smart measurement solutions for electronics enthusiasts, professionals, and students. With over 6K subscribers and 91 videos, the channel is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about electronic measurements.

The channel is run by OMICRON Lab, a company known for its high-quality measurement equipment. The videos on the channel are designed to help viewers understand how to use the Bode 100 Vector Network Analyzer and its applications in electronics design, power electronics, and audio.

For PCB designers, this channel is particularly beneficial. It features videos on stability analysis of power supplies, capacitor ESR measurement, S-parameter and transfer function measurement, and many other topics. These videos provide detailed walkthroughs of the testing process, making them invaluable resources for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

OMICRON Lab Tutorials also offers a series of design lectures by Dr. Ali Shirsavar, which can provide PCB designers with more in-depth knowledge on specific topics. These lectures cover topics like power supply design and EMC filter design.

7. Interference Technology @InterferenceTech1

Interference Technology is a YouTube channel that specializes in electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC). The channel has a unique focus on solving EMI problems in today's electronic equipment. With over 1.7K subscribers and 17 videos, it's a valuable resource for anyone interested in these topics.

The channel offers a variety of videos that delve into the intricacies of EMI and EMC. For PCB designers, this channel is particularly beneficial. It features a series of videos on EMC troubleshooting tools and techniques, managing energy in high-speed circuit boards, and cost-effective use of high-density-interconnect microvia PCB technology for signal integrity, power integrity, and EMC. These videos provide detailed walkthroughs of the testing process, making them invaluable resources for both beginners and experienced PCB designers.

Interference Technology is an excellent resource that helps PCB designers deepen their understanding of EMI and EMC, acquire practical skills for troubleshooting and optimization, and stay abreast of the latest trends and techniques in the field.

8. GreatScott! @greatscottlab

GreatScott! is a YouTube channel that offers a wide array of electronics tutorials, projects, and how-to guides. With almost 2M subscribers and 482 videos, the channel is a go-to resource for anyone interested in electronics, from beginners to professionals.

The channel is run by an electronics enthusiast who produces videos that are known for their clear explanations, practical demonstrations, and engaging content. The channel covers a broad spectrum of topics, from basic electronics knowledge to advanced projects.

For PCB designers, GreatScott! offers a wealth of information. The channel features numerous videos on various aspects of electronics design, including tutorials on how to build your own devices, how to troubleshoot electronics, and how to understand complex electronics concepts. These videos are informative and also provide practical, hands-on knowledge that can be directly applied to PCB design.

For more advanced PCB designers, the channel offers a series of project videos. These videos provide step-by-step instructions on how to build various electronic devices, from simple DIY projects to complex electronic systems. These projects can help designers enhance their skills and gain practical experience in PCB design.

In addition to these resources, GreatScott! offers a series of circuit-testing videos that provide valuable insights into the practical aspects of electronics design and help PCB designers avoid common pitfalls.

9. Predictable Designs @PredictableDesigns

Predictable Designs is a YouTube channel that serves as a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs, startups, inventors, and small companies who are venturing into the development of new electronic hardware products. The channel, managed by John Teel, an experienced electronics design engineer and entrepreneur, has amassed over 19K subscribers and 107 videos, each packed with valuable insights and practical advice.

John Teel's background as a senior design engineer at Texas Instruments and as a founder of a hardware startup lends a unique perspective to the channel. His hands-on experience in the field of electronics design is reflected in the content, making it a rich source of practical knowledge for PCB designers.

The channel's content is diverse, covering a wide range of topics pertinent to PCB design. It offers tutorials on designing a switching regulator PCB and creating a custom Arduino board for mass production. Each tutorial is detailed and easy to follow, making it a great learning resource for PCB designers at any stage of their career.

Predictable Designs also delves into the business side of electronics design. It offers insights on different distribution channels, business models for hardware startups, and the often overlooked aspects of product development. This blend of technical and business content equips PCB designers with a holistic understanding of the electronics design industry.

Moreover, the "Product Development" video series on the channel provides a step-by-step guide on the journey from prototyping to manufacturing a new hardware product. This series is particularly beneficial for PCB designers aiming to bring their designs to market.

Predictable Designs is more than just a YouTube channel; it's a mentor, a guide, and a valuable resource for PCB designers. Its unique blend of technical tutorials and business insights sets it apart, making it a must-visit channel for anyone in the field of PCB design.

10. EMC D&V @emcDV

EMC D&V may be the last channel on our list, but it is by no means the least. Its unique focus on simulation-based learning and its commitment to simplifying the complexities of EMC make it a must-visit resource for PCB designers. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned professional, EMC D&V has something to offer you.

EMC D&V is a YouTube channel that focuses on the complex world of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) design and validation. Despite having fewer subscribers and videos than other channels we've looked at, EMC D&V is a powerhouse of knowledge, offering insights into EMC tests and design solutions.

The channel is run by an experienced professional in the field of EMC, who uses his knowledge and practical experience to simplify the complexities of EMC design and validation. The channel's content is designed to help both newcomers to EMC and seasoned professionals looking for key information to enhance their work.

The channel's content is a blend of tutorials and short clips, each designed to provide a deep dive into various aspects of EMC. For PCB designers, this channel is a treasure trove of information. It offers videos on EMC/EMI filter design by simulation in LTspice, frequency noise spectrum calculations for common-mode and differential-mode current, and how to think about voltage noise in your device, among others. These videos provide a detailed walkthrough of the design process, making them an invaluable resource for PCB designers at all levels.

EMC D&V uses LTspice, a high-performance SPICE simulator, to demonstrate the design and validation of EMC/EMI filters. This approach allows PCB designers to see the theory in action, enhancing their understanding and application of EMC principles.

Conclusion

By exploring these YouTube channels, PCB designers can enhance their skills, gain valuable knowledge, and stay up to date with the latest trends and techniques in the field. Each channel offers a unique perspective, and collectively, they provide a comprehensive learning experience for PCB designers at every stage of their journey.

From basic principles to advanced topics, these channels cover everything you need to know about PCB design. So, why wait?