Connecting a copper area to an unconnected pad

[snoopy20]

Hi,

I’ve created a thermal area as shown, As I’ve used “unspecified” I don’t have a connection, which is the first problem.

I’m also unsure how to add a mask to the area?

Thanks!

Andrew

[snoopy20]

This area isn’t really doing much as it is, but I was intending to make an area on the bottom layer and connect it for thermal transfer. My thought here was to use a ton of vias. Is there a better way?

[snoopy20]

I’ve resolved this myself by;

Duplicating the footprint and attaching pin 4 to net.

Creating a bottom plane and then tracking from the net into the area (otherwwise it won’t fill) and applying several vias. This way the areas are stitched. All good!

[SembazuruCDE]

As long as the device you are using has pin 4 either isolated or internally connected to pin 2 this should work. (And on your schematic you now have documentation of what that pin 4 is connected to for future troubleshooting.)

[PCB_Wiz]

@snoopy20

This area isn’t really doing much as it is, but I was intending to make an area on the bottom layer and connect it for thermal transfer. My thought here was to use a ton of vias.

Above looks good, you could consider also vias in the paste areas ?
If this is not a radiating signal pad, you could also expand the fIll, and include fills across the whole PCB
Even not-same-net fills can help cooling, as they spread the heat over a larger area.