Here is my board:
Where should I start from?
To try and route all ground on bottom layer and the rest on the top layer?
If I can’t fit every thing on the top layer(apart of the ground) what I should move to the bottom layer?
Shall I start from ground?
How much I should avoid run tracks below 4017 IC?
Thanks
For me 80…90% of PCB design work is positioning footprints the way to untangle the connection lines as much as possible. If each footprint is located to be just where it is needed than many connections are just between adjacent elements.
When using THT elements I would probably (I don’t use THT since end of 80s so I’m not sure) use GND at top and all connections at bottom.
If I would assume that GND zone at top will make all GND connections than for the time of positioning I would hide GND connection lines to see only connections I have to untangle.
Start with the basics.
What is the enclosure ?
What restrictions on board size?
What components lead to the outside world and where must those components be placed. eg. plugs, sockets, pots, leds etc.
In your case, you have a row of leds that attach to a 4017. Place the leds and attach with the passives, to the 4017. Try to use only one side of your PCB.
Next, the 555 with its passives, with tracks on the same side as the 4017 group.
Finally the rest of the parts; power supply conditioning, plugs, sockets etc.
If you work in sections and try to keep all the tracks on one side (this may involve eg. relocating/revolving the 555 and its passives) the task seems less onerous.
I generally try to keep all tracks (including Gnd) on the one side of the board. To me, it is an entertaining challenge these days. The second side of the board is a last resort.
Why to restrict yourself only for one side of the board? any practical reason? or only for fun?
No enclosure, board size as small as possible…
Fun, but sometimes practical. My last effort was a substantial SMPS. Smt control stuff and pads for THT large components on a single side. I don’t like large THT components resting on a gnd. plane with only soldermask as an insulation for 240VAC mains.
Are you able to post a schematic?
If as small as possible - why not to use SMD components? Or at least most of them SMD and some THT if needed.
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Where does J1 go?
To a difference board.
Regarding this 8 pin JST connector: Do I need to mirror the wanted pins on the other board?
I want that the lower part will face the outer side of the board. In that case the pins will be swapt no?
How should I do it?
Before you locate J1, what is it attached to?
4017s have a limited output supply and it is already powering LEDs.
You shouldn’t apply the 4017 outputs to the 40106 outputs. the 4017 outs should be attached to the 40106 inputs.
I know it’s often good fun . . . and whilst not wanting to be a killjoy . . . just bear in mind this kind of topic is off topic for this forum.
It may get closed unexpectedly . . .
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Well, it started as an obviously new to PCBs, using Kicad, wanting basic help on how to layout. Hence the first post.
Now I’m getting carried away with design. Thanks for pulling me up.
but then I will need to invert the output?
Message me.
Click the green disc on your avatar.
Is it only my problem?
I have never noticed it.
Any picture in this thread when I clicked it to see it bigger after some time of rounding circle I got info that it can’t be opened and I couldn’t close blacked thread view and I ended with closing the thread and open it once more and for the second time it worked as expected, but with next picture - once more.
These are secondary problems when your 555 will not generate at all.
Just go to some electronics forum (like EEVblog) with not strictly KiCad related questions.
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I hadn’t looked as far as the astable, or the SW leaving the clock input open circuit.