5. Electrical Test (ICT, FCT, boundary scan)

A visually perfect solder joint is not enough if the circuit does not function as intended. Electrical testing serves as a final, essential verification point before an assembly leaves the PCBA line.

This chapter details the distinct roles of In-Circuit Testing (ICT), Functional Testing (FCT), and Boundary Scan methodologies. We will discuss how to deploy these tests strategically to isolate faults to the component level, effectively supporting production flow without creating bottlenecks.