KiCad PCB FAQ
- Why the width of the power traces needs to be larger than the signal traces?
- Because the power traces will need to carry much more current than the signal traces. If not, they may be heat up and potentially melt, which leads to create an open circuit or cause a fire. Usually, we will use 40 mils for the width of power traces and 20 mils for the width of signal traces.
- Why the traces should be wired on a 45-degree angle, not directly on a 90-degree angle path?
-
Because 90-degree wiring can cause problems at high-frequency situations because these points can act as miniature antennas and radiate signals.
-
Because the outside corner of a 90-degree bend is a thin point, which can be etched away easily, if etching times are not very carefully controlled and so affect the thickness of the trace.
- Why should the traces connections avoid acute angles?
|
|---|
Figure |
- Because some older board manufacturing processes use harsh chemicals to etch copper, acute angles could capture some of these chemicals, leading to acid traps where the chemicals will remain after the boards are processed and slowly eat away at the copper, potentially causing the breaks in the circuit.