Contactless test method and system for testing printed circuit boards

A method for testing an inactive populated circuit board including electrically conductive paths, parts, and surfaces whose electrical and physical continuity and conformance to a known standard is to be verified, the method comprising providing a signal applying conductor;

• providing an array of non-contact sensors;
• placing an inactive populated circuit board under test between the signal applying conductor and the arrayarray such that the board under test is free from direct electrical contact with the signal applying conductor and with the array;
• powering the signal applying conductor by an AC electrical signal independent of geometric layout of the conductive material on the board under test to generate an original electromagnetic near field which is transmitted from the signal applying conductor to the array for detection thereby;
• using the said array of non-contact sensors, without direct electrical contact with the board under test, to detect a pattern of perturbation of the original electromagnetic near field of the signal applying conductor caused by the board under test, said pattern of perturbation therefore defining a test pattern representative of the circuit board under test;
• making a comparison of the said test pattern with a known pattern;
• and determining from the said comparison whether the board under test is in conformance to the known standard.