I need to insert a panel-mount 3PDT switch on a PCB. Since the 3PDT switch is intended to activate/deactivate an LED and redirect a signal along two different paths, it would be much more convenient and flexible to have the “pin-holes” in separate places, especially since the switch is not PCB-mounted.
I have tried assigning the following footprint: Connector_PinHeader_2.54mm:PinHeader_1x03_P2.54mm_Vertical
to the following symbol:
SW_3PDT_x3
I’m unsure whether the symbol was a standard symbol. Anyway, just like I have three separate SPDT switches on the schematic, I’d like to have three separate SPDT “pins” on the PCB. Right now there is only one. Of course KiCAD complains about missing pins. Is there any way to do this?
Welcome and, Recommend looking at other posts on similar topic.
It’s mostly about getting familiar with Kicad
Example shows Two different Footprint’s assigned to One Schematic Symbol. You can assign as many as you want. Check/Un-Check visibility as desired. I set these Visible for this post, though would want only one visible in project or on different PCB’s…
You can Mix and Match as you like… (and, deal with the NET’s and BOM’s as appropriate…)
I have the problem to understand.
I have V5 at Win7 with KiCad library but for SW_3… it finds nothing.
I have V7 at Win10 but with no KiCad library (only my libraries) so I am trying to understand only from text.
It looks that 3PDT probably is the switch, and SW_3PDT_x3 may be are 3 switches each needing 3 pins so in total 9 pins are needed. True?
You write that you want 3 separate pins but you have only one. But PinHeader_1x03 should have 3 pins (not separate but 3) and not one, so which way you get only one pin…
SW 4 is a 3PDT switch. This switch is not in any Kicad library. You will have to create this switch yourself if you wish to use it.
You are using three SPDT switches instead, which is OK.
To demonstrate how to connect to three different places see SW1
Each pin of the switch is connected to a single socket (S1, S2 & S3). These sockets match the Pins (P1, P2 & P3).
The sockets and pins can be found in the “Connectors” library. The names are shown in the screen grab.
When you place these symbols on your schematic, you need to show that the switches and sockets (blue rectangle) ARE NOT on the PCB.
To do this you need to open the “Symbol Properties” for each switch and socket, then in “Attributes”, tick each as “Exclude from board”.
The only parts that are placed on the PCB are the pins P1 to P9 (magenta rectangle). These need to have footprints assigned to them such as “Connector_PinHeader_1x01_P1.00mm_Vertical.”
When you have completed this you will have 9 separate pins (but no sockets and switches) to place on your PCB, wherever you wish.
