Guard trace implementation

[Newbie_Kicad]

Dear Team,

I am new to Kicad.I need to implement a guard trace as shown below.

I started from one end of the Ground (PIN no 3) and try to connect to the other end.
But I am not able to connect.(shown in blue color)

Could you please help me

[BobZ]

I do not know why it will not allow you to connect. But can you try to close the connection by using a net tie?

Basically that is just a “graphic element” which is made of copper.

BTW what will happen to your avatar name after you have been using KiCad for a couple of years?

[paulvdh]

You probably have to disable: PCB Editor/ Route / Interactive Router Settings / Remove redundant tracks

But for guard tracks, using graphical lines as BobZ suggests is possibly a better option, In KiCad V8 graphic items can be part of a net (and have a net name) just as with tracks. The main difference is that the interactive router does not shove aside graphical items. Drawing graphics also ignores DRC, you can short nets with graphics, and KiCad will only complain about it when you run DRC afterwards.

[Newbie_Kicad]

I used graphical element and it is working now.Thank you very much.

[paulvdh]

You’re not done yet.
Guard traces should not be covered by solder mask.

Do this:

1. Turn on: **PCB Editor / View / Show Properties Manager.
2. Select (hover over) a line segment.
3. Press u to select more of the graphic lines.
4. Press [Ctrl + d] to duplicate the lines.
5. Left click the mouse without moving, so the copy is place on top of the other (still selected).
6. In the properties manager, change the layer of the selection to F.Mask, and make the lines a bit wider.

[Newbie_Kicad]

You are correct there shoud not be any solder mask in guard traces.

For me F mask is not coming

[paulvdh]

Make sure you have only graphical lines selected before you do the properties thing.

[Newbie_Kicad]

I think I did it.Thank you.

How do I keep the same guard in bottom layer also