What are the three most common faults found in ICs?

The correct answer identifies opens, shorts, and faulty power supply units as the three most common faults found in integrated circuits (ICs).

Opens refer to non-conducting paths in an electrical circuit, which can result from broken connections or damaged traces, preventing current flow and causing the circuit to fail to perform its intended function. Shorts occur when unwanted connections create a low-resistance path for current, which can lead to excessive current flow, potentially damaging components. Faulty power supply units can lead to insufficient or incorrect voltages being supplied to circuits, causing operational failures or malfunctions.

These faults are critical to identify and address during the design, testing, and production phases of IC development. Understanding and diagnosing these issues helps in troubleshooting and improving the reliability of electronic devices.