1. IPC-2221 3.5.6.1 Bare Board Testing Bare board testing is performed by the printed board supplier and includes continuity, insulation resistance and dielectric withstanding voltage. Suppliers can also perform testing of controlled impedance circuitry. Continuity tests are performed to assure conductors are not broken (opens) or inadvertently connected together (shorts). Insulation resistance and dielectric withstanding voltage testing is performed to assure sufficient conductor spacing and dielectric thickness.

2. IPC-2221 3.5.6.1 Bare Board Testing There are two basic types of continuity testing; Golden Board and Intelligent. In Golden Board test, a known good board is tested and its results are used to test all the remaining boards in the lot. If there were an error in the Golden Board, an error in all boards could go undetected. The Intelligent test verifies each board against the design's electrical net list. It will not miss the defects which could be undetected in a Golden Board test.

3. IPC-2221 3.5.6.1 Bare Board Testing Designs which do not have all electrical connections available from one side of the board (such as boards with blind or buried vias, components on both sides with via holes solder resist tented or boards bonded to both sides of heatsinks) will require Flip or Clamshell testing. Flip testing tests one side of the board and then the other on two separate fixtures.

4. IPC-2221 3.5.6.1 Bare Board Testing Connections which require contacting both sides of the board are not evaluated. Clamshell testing uses two fixtures which come in contact with both sides of the board at the same time and is capable of testing all connections. Flip and Clamshell testing costs more than testing performed from one side of the board only.