Homebrew PCBs

I am using gEDA PCB and it has VIAS as one of the options.  Is this
referring to a hole that jumpers over a line on a PC board to the other side
of a trace?

Thanks,
Chris KQ6UP


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On 31/03/2010 21:17, Chris Maness wrote:
> I am using gEDA PCB and it has VIAS as one of the options.  Is this
> referring to a hole that jumpers over a line on a PC board to the other side
> of a trace?

Yes.

Leon
-- 
Leon Heller
G1HSM

it's a thru hole that connects traces from one layer to another.

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Leon Heller <leon355@...> wrote:

>
>
> On 31/03/2010 21:17, Chris Maness wrote:
> > I am using gEDA PCB and it has VIAS as one of the options. Is this
> > referring to a hole that jumpers over a line on a PC board to the other
> side
> > of a trace?
>
> Yes.
>
> Leon
> --
> Leon Heller
> G1HSM
>  
>



-- 
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Like if I cannot find a way around a trace on a single sided board, I would
cheat and use a via?

Chris

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 1:34 PM, Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@...> wrote:

> it's a thru hole that connects traces from one layer to another.
>
> On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Leon Heller <leon355@...>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > On 31/03/2010 21:17, Chris Maness wrote:
> > > I am using gEDA PCB and it has VIAS as one of the options. Is this
> > > referring to a hole that jumpers over a line on a PC board to the other
> > side
> > > of a trace?
> >
> > Yes.
> >
> > Leon
> > --
> > Leon Heller
> > G1HSM
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Paul Mateer, AA9GG
> Elan Engineering Corp.
> www.elanengr.com
> NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Homebrew_PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

A via is a hole in the PCB that lets you connect copper on different 
layers.  While they're physically the same as the holes for component 
leads, PCB keeps them separate so that you can do things like "select 
all vias" or "increase all pin sizes by 5 mil".

Note that PCB automatically adds vias if you're drawing a trace (line 
tool) and select a different layer (number keys).

The via hole is a plated hole through the board that connects to a trace on the other side hence the board becomes double sided (or indeed to any intermediate plane in multi -layer boards). Not very DIY friendly. Use the lead of a non-radial through hole device or a short link to effect the connection.
--- On Wed, 31/3/10, Chris Maness <chris@...> wrote:

From: Chris Maness <chris@...>
Subject: Re: [Homebrew_PCBs] What is a Via?
To: Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com
Date: Wednesday, 31 March, 2010, 21:42


  



Like if I cannot find a way around a trace on a single sided board, I would
cheat and use a via?

Chris

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 1:34 PM, Paul Mateer <paul.aa9gg@gmail. com> wrote:

> it's a thru hole that connects traces from one layer to another.
>
> On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:29 PM, Leon Heller <leon355@btinternet. com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > On 31/03/2010 21:17, Chris Maness wrote:
> > > I am using gEDA PCB and it has VIAS as one of the options. Is this
> > > referring to a hole that jumpers over a line on a PC board to the other
> > side
> > > of a trace?
> >
> > Yes.
> >
> > Leon
> > --
> > Leon Heller
> > G1HSM
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Paul Mateer, AA9GG
> Elan Engineering Corp.
> www.elanengr. com
> NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------ --------- --------- ------
>
> Be sure to visit the group home and check for new Links, Files, and Photos:
> http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/Homebrew_ PCBsYahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]









      

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Correct

On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 3:42 PM, Chris Maness <chris@...> wrote:

>
>
> Like if I cannot find a way around a trace on a single sided board, I would
> cheat and use a via?
>
> Chris
> --
>
Paul Mateer, AA9GG
Elan Engineering Corp.
www.elanengr.com
NAQCC 3123, SKCC 4628, FPQRP 2003


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

No, technically if you have a *single* sided board, there's no copper on 
the other side to connect to, you'd have to use a wire jumper.

However - in PCB, (or any layout package), you can use another copper 
layer to keep track of where you need jumpers.  In that case, a regular 
via would serve that purpose, as well as the copper traces on the fake 
layer.  That also makes the design rule checkers happy.

On Wed, 31 Mar 2010, Chris Maness wrote:

> Like if I cannot find a way around a trace on a single sided board, I would
> cheat and use a via?

Yes.  Jump over to the other side just long enough to make your jump, then 
go back.  Try to minimize their number and length (make one jump over many 
instead of many jumps over one).  Keep them as straight as possible. 
This makes it easier to put in jumper wires when you're soldering the 
board.

-- 
David Griffith
dgriffi@...

Finally someone gives a clear answer to the op's question.

The following is for the home DIY type boards that at most are double sided. I expect there are very few 4 layer homebrew boards in normal use.  DJ, was it you that did some 4 layers?

While a via can be used to get across a trace on the same layer, a "via" is simply a hole thru the board from top side to bottom side and is used with double sided boards. (home use)

As said before, a short piece of wire cab be used to connect the two sides (layers).  Even better is a rivet to connect the two layers.  Since getting smoe rivets - I LOVE those for connecting vias.

Using vias to keep track of jumpers on the top layer is a good idea - I'll try to remember that trick.

Great group of folks here and I've learned a LOT.

Ken H>

--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, DJ Delorie <dj@...> wrote:

>
> A via is a hole in the PCB that lets you connect copper on different 
> layers.  While they're physically the same as the holes for component 
> leads, PCB keeps them separate so that you can do things like "select 
> all vias" or "increase all pin sizes by 5 mil".
> 
> Note that PCB automatically adds vias if you're drawing a trace (line 
> tool) and select a different layer (number keys).
>