Ask HN: Most effective non-destructive way to reverse-engineer a PCB at home?

[keks24]

Hello!

I am looking for effective non-destructive ways in order to reverse-engineer PCBs at home.

I found or could only think of...

    ...trying to shine through the board with very bright light.
    ...scanning the PCB.
    ...using a self-built, well-isolated X-Ray chamber[1][2], which, if done wrong and without special meters, can cause me cancer.
    ...using ultrasonic waves.
    ...using acoustic microscopy[3].

All other ways, which I have found so far[4] are destructive; the best of them is using sandpaper and sand down each layer. I would like to avoid these.

Are there other effective non-destructive ways, which are applicable at home?

-Keks

[1] https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Phys_p083/physics/how-to-build-an-x-ray-machine

[2] https://www.hackster.io/news/a-diy-x-ray-machine-yes-a-diy-x-ray-machine-9fd37d49a1fa

[3] Slide 48: https://defcon.org/images/defcon-22/dc-22-presentations/Grand/DEFCON-22-Joe-Grand-Deconstructing-the-Circuit-Board-Sandwich.pdf

[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8FQZIPkgZM

[mikewarot]

A circuit board is essentially a network of connections. If you've got components on it, you'll have to remove them first via desoldering. This process is generally reversible, provided sufficient equipment and training (or luck, in their absense)

You can them use an ohm meter to see what connects to what. Simple, laborious, but effective, and non-destructive. You might want to invest in a milli-ohm meter for serious work.

[pulvinar]

You could see if you could bring the board in to your dentist. They're good at this.

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/293338/can-a...

[stavros]

"A dental X-ray will not provide you with all the details necessary. Here, look at this photo, which shows amazing levels of detail."