Some PCB Design Guidelines to adhere to when designing a PCB layout.
1. Do not use Autoroute.
2. Use a single connector for all your input(s) and output(s). This should be close to the imaginary
boarder.
3. Every design must have an outline border (Dimensions), which must be exactly equal to the
size of the board required. The outline border becomes your cut line.
4. 4 mm inside the border line must appear an imaginary border i.e. border that you cannot see.
No components or tracks may appear inside this border. This border is used for mounting
(holes @ the bottom, using 1.5 mm radius) and must have in it your surname, initials, and
student number.
5. All like components must be grouped together and face the same direction, (For complex
designs, like components can be grouped according to sub circuits).
6. The maximum distance between the bodies of like components must not exceed 3 mm.
7. The distance from the body of the components to the bend in the lead may not exceed 3 mm.
8. The connection of through-hole (TH) components must be at the bottom of the PCB, while
surface mount (SM) components must be connected on the top of the PCB.
9. All connecting tracks can run an any angles (excluding 90 degrees).
10. All 90 degrees angles must be avoided.
11. Tracks can be routed all around the PCB and only go underneath TH components only.
12. The track width must be 0.8 mm, except for a place where it must pass through a small space
or an error is detected, where the minimum of 0.7 mm must be used and then returned to 0.8
mm. (This is referred to as NECKING).
13. Power tracks should be at least 1 mm depending on the current specifications of the circuit.
14. Track clearance between tracks or any copper surface must be 0.6 mm.
15. The minimum distance between pads and tracks is 0.6 mm.
16. The minimum pad-diameter is 2.1 mm for TH components only.
17. The minimum pad-diameter for Vias is 2.1 mm, with a minimum hole/drill diameter of 0.8 mm.
18. Maximum jumper length is 7 mm, hole-diameter is 0.8 mm, pad-diameter is 2.1 mm.
19. All tracks must enter a pad in the centre.
20. Not more than three tracks may be connected to one pad.
21. Use at least 2 vias on your circuit design, you are limited to a maximum of 6 vias. (Via
requirements may differ for different circuits.
22. For complicated circuits, keep the signal ground separate from the DC ground to avoid
additional noise interference.
23. Always include strategic test points in the layout for voltages or outputs. These should be close
to the imaginary border.
24. Take careful consideration of the size of components and check whether an additional heat
sink is necessary so that you can accommodate it in your design.
25. Label your PCB design i.e.
For single sided: Components, input(s) and output(s), surname, initials, and student
number by inserting text on copper bottom (Height 3 mm). All labelling at the bottom
of the PCB must be mirrored.
For double sided: Components, input(s) and output(s) on the PCB by inserting text on
copper top (Height 2 mm). Also, surname, initials, and student number by inserting
text at the copper bottom (Heigh 3 mm). All labelling on the bottom must be mirrored.
Some of the errors to be avoided or observed in your layout designs.
Angles between the tracks that are less than 90 degrees.
Small pad size of vias.
Incorrect use of vias, too many vias, small via diameter, and missing vias.
The via should not be placed under components.
The incorrect footprint of components.
Loose connections of tracks or incomplete (or missing) electrical connections.
The track width of 0.7 mm should only be used in tight spaces.
Small track width and small track clearance between the tracks should be checked.
Wrong board outlines (PCB dimensions).
Incorrect placement of components.
Avoid connection of TH components on the top layer unless necessary.
Under No circumstances are you allowed to connect SM components on the bottom of the PCB.
Always use a single connector for your input and output ports.
Try to improve your design by labelling it appropriately.
Note that silkscreen labelling is not printed on our fabricating machine, therefore label using copper.
