Connecting PCB GRD to Metal Enclosure

Schematic
1

My last question about connecting wire to a PCB is sort of a segue to my next question.
I want to connect my PCBs GRD to its metal enclosure via a screw. I’m assuming the Mounting Pad (as seen below) is the correct schematic symbol. Lack of experience has me puzzled on which (as seen below on which footprint to use. Other examples I’ve seen look like they’ve used some sort of via but I’m not sure.

Regards,
Dan

Mounting
Mounting761×596 85.9 KB

MountingHole
MountingHole665×592 77.6 KB

2

Almost there, you need a footprint with pad_via in the name

2025-05-06_22-05-1746566720
2025-05-06_22-05-17465667201843×949 282 KB

3

And to follow on from @Naib - the vias in the annular ring increase the strength of the mounting hole, improve its thermal properties and the security of the connection - both electrical and mechanical. They ensure that if the mounting screw is overtorqued that the pcb substrate doesn’t simply break away.

4

Many thanks for the informative response.

Regards,
Dan

5

No. Any mounting hole with a pad will do. The via’s are optional.

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6

I agree, any PTH pad assigned to a net will do, but the OP was asking about the via type and it wasn’t clear
whether they found that foot print

7

Nope, he was not asking for that. The closest I see is:

For the rest, this thread is a bit vague. What does “PCB GRD” mean (i.e, in the title). I assume it’s GND, but maybe some kind of guard (PE?) is meant. Apart from lack of experience, I assume there are some difficulties with translation. As I understand, French is spoken in some parts of Canada. Don’t know about Toronto (Assuming OP’s profile is correct).

8

Well there is enough to interpret.

The KDD I am taking from this is the OP want to electrically tie aspects of their PCB design to the metal enclosure.

Assuming “PCB GRD” is colloquial term for “PCB Ground”, ie some net within their design, maybe a trace,maybe a zone and the need is to connect to something off-PCB

The two key methods todo this is

  1. some pad (SMT, PTH) where a flying lead is soldered to the PCB and then a ringcrimp is used to affix to the metalwork
  2. some plated mounting hole of suitable ID for the mounting screw and suitable padsize and style (via/non-via) to support the screwhead and washer to provide an electrical connection to a metal housing. the eeschema “mountingHole_Pad” is the CORRECT symbol as the OP can then affix a net to this pad. The OP can then choose pad or via_pad based upon their need and a via_pad would be prefered since it does provide better mechanical strength and also EMI (if this is a concern)
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