Dry cabinet for PCBs: store printed circuit boards and assemblies dry
Printed circuit boards absorb moisture from their surroundings, and their surfaces can oxidize. During soldering, absorbed moisture can lead to blistering or delamination in the base material, and oxidized surfaces impair solderability. A dry cabinet keeps opened PCBs and assemblies at low humidity until they are processed. This page shows what to consider regarding size, humidity and baking.
When is dry storage of PCBs useful?
- After opening the vacuum bag, if boards are not assembled immediately
- For longer standing times in the warehouse or between two process steps
- For partly assembled boards between soldering operations
- For leftover stock and returns before they go back into production
Your PCB manufacturer determines which conditions apply. Standards such as IPC-1601 (handling and storage of printed boards) give guidance; check the current version.
Which humidity is right?
| Series | Humidity | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| X2B | < 5% RH | Standard MSD, SMD reels and components |
| F1 | < 1% RH | Particularly sensitive components, customer specifications |
| A1B | adjustable 1 to 50% RH | Different materials and specifications |
| QB / QS | adjustable 1 to 50% RH | If nitrogen is available |
Choose the humidity according to your PCB manufacturer's specification. If it names a specific value, the A1B series with adjustable humidity from 1 to 50% RH is flexible. If you store components and PCBs in the same cabinet, it is best to keep them apart on separate shelves or in separate drawers.
Do your PCBs fit in the cabinet?
The format decides. The storage dimensions from the datasheets:
| Storage | Size / load |
|---|---|
| Shelf, small models (200 to 600) | 555 × 530 mm |
| Shelf, 1200-6 models | 1155 × 530 mm |
| Drawer type E (no dividers) | 504 × 440 × 100 mm, 50 kg |
| Drawer type F (with dividers) | 504 × 440 × 100 mm, 50 kg |
PCBs and panels deeper than 530 mm do not fit flat on a shelf. Check your format and ask us about larger panels. The selection guide helps you find the right cabinet size, and the guide Which dry cabinet fits? explains the other criteria.
Baking before assembly
If PCBs have to be baked before soldering, the PCB manufacturer specifies temperature and duration. Our baking dry cabinets work at 40 to 50 °C (T50A) and 40 to 70 °C (T70A); many baking specifications for PCBs are higher. For some surface finishes, baking can impair solderability. Clarify this with your PCB manufacturer before buying.
Checklist
- Obtain your PCB manufacturer's specifications for humidity, storage time and baking
- Compare the format of boards and panels with the shelf sizes
- Note the opening date on the bag or stack and use first in, first out
- Record humidity and set up an alarm
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to store PCBs dry?
That depends on the PCB manufacturer, the surface finish and the storage time. Dry storage is common once the vacuum bag has been opened and boards sit for longer before assembly. Your PCB manufacturer's specifications are decisive.
Which humidity is right for PCBs?
Choose the humidity according to your PCB manufacturer's specification. The X2B series works below 5% RH, the F1 series below 1% RH. If your specification names a different value, the A1B series with adjustable humidity from 1 to 50% RH is flexible.
Do my PCBs or panels fit in the cabinet?
The shelves are 530 mm deep and 555 mm (small models) or 1155 mm wide (1200-6 models). Drawers for PCBs and small parts measure 504 × 440 × 100 mm. Check whether your panel size fits flat on a shelf or in a drawer; for larger formats please ask us.
Can I bake PCBs in a baking dry cabinet?
Our baking dry cabinets work at 40 to 50 °C (T50A) or 40 to 70 °C (T70A). Many specifications for baking PCBs call for higher temperatures. Check your PCB manufacturer's information; for some surface finishes baking can impair solderability.
Inquiry
Send us the format, quantity and your PCB manufacturer's specification: info@smt-sander.de. We will recommend the right model. Do you also store components on reels? Then read Dry cabinet for electronic components.
Note: This article gives an overview and replaces neither your PCB manufacturer's specifications nor relevant standards. As of: 24.10.2026.
Hügelweg 27a · 14469 Potsdam, Germany
+49 155 68087797 · info@smt-sander.de