Unpopulated board
Updated: 11/12/2023 by Computer Hope
An unpopulated board refers to a manufactured PCB (printed circuit board) that doesn't have electronic components soldered onto it yet. Sometimes called a bare board, this version lacks key components like resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits. Unpopulated boards usually don't have any additional holes drilled through them.
Bare boards are helpful in the initial stages of PCB development. These boards allow manufacturers to test various components to see which are the best fit in areas like price, performance, and efficiency, and find any spatial (sizing) constraints. Furthermore, companies may enjoy cost savings if their product line can utilize the same bare board with different components.