Hello! First time PCB creator here looking for feedback. What would you recommend I change or what rules should I know? This layout has cleared DRC with 0 errors or unconnected pins.
There are a lot of things that KiCad itself can not check for, and a lot of simple mistakes made by beginners. Your PCB passing DRC is a good start, but it can not check for everything.
Did you also do the ERC in Eeschema?
Having someone else look at your project sometimes reveals obvious things that you keep glancing over yourself, or simply do not know.
It also depends a lot if your project is a NE555 LED blinker, or has high speed signals that need matching. Another big difference is if you “just want it to work”, or you want it to be designed in such a way that gives it a chance of passing EMC tests.
Some mistakes commonly made:
- Using the wrong footprint, so your actual parts do not fit the PCB.
- Missing or badly placed decoupling capacitors.
- Bad GND routing, not enough, or not solid enough GND plane.
- Not setting up Pcbnew / File /Board Setup /Design Rules / Net Classes
- Using Design rules that are too narrow for your PCB manufacturer.
- Big capacitors next to heat sinks. Elco’s do not like heat, and can obstruct air flow around heat sinks.
- Forgetting to add connectors for either power or signals.
- Forgetting mounting holes for the PCB.
[[Edit]
Corrected brainfart with “Faulty capacitors” tnx to eelik.
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Or wrongly placed.
A rule of thumb: if a component (IC) has a datasheet, read the suggestions carefully and follow them. They often have also PCB layout suggestions and instructions. Don’t ignore them. Placement of capacitors is often critical. See Does the connected trace to VCC matter here?.
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