A power distribution board, or PDB, takes the main battery supply and splits it cleanly between your ESCs and your onboard electronics. In a small drone it can be a few wires soldered together. In a larger platform it becomes a critical part of the power system.
What a PDB does
- Distributes high current from the battery to each ESC through wide copper planes instead of a tangle of wires.
- Provides regulated rails, such as 5 V and 12 V, for the flight controller, GPS, radio and payload.
- Senses voltage and current on some boards, so the flight controller can estimate remaining battery capacity.
- Protects the system with features such as over-current and short-circuit protection on some boards.
The ratings that matter
Look at the continuous and peak current, the input voltage range, the number of ESC connections, the supply rails, the copper layers and the weight. Copper thickness and layer count decide how much current the board can carry without overheating.
Our boards
The RD PDB 150A supports 6S to 12S packs with 100 A continuous and 150 A peak current, two configurable BEC outputs, voltage and current sensing, and four CAN ports on an 8-layer board with 2 oz copper. The RD PDB 250A is a 15 g board with 250 A continuous current, 4 ESC connections, five 12 V and four 5 V supply points and over-current and short-circuit protection. See all of our power distribution boards.
Add a capacitor bank
Fast-switching ESCs create voltage ripple and spikes on the power line. A capacitor bank placed close to the ESCs helps smooth that out. The RD CAP BANK adds 2800 µF at up to 12S (50.4 V) with a 250 A PCB rating and weighs 30 g. See our capacitor banks.
To pick the ESCs that go with your board, read how to size an ESC.
Need help choosing? Email [email protected] with your take-off weight, battery voltage and number of motors, and the Reflex Drive team will suggest a matching set. Reflex Drive is a brand of Sunmint Electronics LLP, and all of our products are designed and manufactured in India.
How To Size An ESC For A Drone Motor - Reflex Drive - Drone Propulsion Systems, Made In India
October 27, 2026[…] A common practice is to leave at least 20 % headroom above the highest current you expect. Make sure the power distribution board can carry the combined current (see what a PDB does). […]