Society of Robots - Robot Forum

Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: airman00 on October 19, 2008, 12:47:23 PM

Title: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: airman00 on October 19, 2008, 12:47:23 PM: If you look in my PCB I designed you'll see a little solder hole thing right above the FTDI chip .

What is that solder hole thing and what am I supposed to do when I get my PCB in the mail? Solder in that hole? Leave it be?

(http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj202/erobot/Misc%20Documentation/Transmitter1.jpg)
Title: Re: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: kd5kfl on October 19, 2008, 12:58:30 PM: Problaby a plated through hole. A way to carry a lead from one side of the board to the other side. So two leads dont cross.
Title: Re: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: airman00 on October 19, 2008, 01:22:01 PM: I thought it was something like that

but do I have to fill in (solder it) the hole? or is it good the way it is?
Title: Re: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: Soeren on October 19, 2008, 01:24:10 PM: It is plated through by the PCB manufacturer, no need to solder it.
Title: Re: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: airman00 on October 19, 2008, 01:26:12 PM: Quote from: Soeren on October 19, 2008, 01:24:10 PM
It is plated through by the PCB manufacturer, no need to solder it.

Ok thank you
Title: Re: Little Solder Hole Thing On PCB
Post by: Admin on October 23, 2008, 07:07:56 AM: Its called a via.

Vias are bad for high power tracing, and for noise sensitive circuits. For your circuit it's no big deal.

You should go all surface mount for this board - I'm willing to bet it will allow you to halve the size.