Tag
PCB
11 sheets with this mark.
- Solder mask clearance you'll measure onceThe gap between copper and mask determines whether your board survives assembly or becomes a bridging lesson. Here's how to spec it without the rework.
- Fuse selection before the smokeFast-blow versus slow-blow matters when your weekend build decides to pull three times its nominal current. Pick the fuse that protects the board, not your assumptions.
- Inrush current limiting you won't regret at 3 a.m.Your bench supply clicks off when the project powers up, and suddenly Saturday is a troubleshooting session. A few cents of NTC thermistor or series resistance can save the evening.
- Pull-up resistors that won't lie to your microcontrollerWeak internal pull-ups work until they don't. Here's how to pick external resistors that keep your I²C lines honest and your GPIO reads predictable.
- ADC reference voltage you won't second-guessPick a stable voltage reference once and your analog reads stay honest. Here's how to choose one that survives your bench and your production run.
- Decoupling caps where the datasheet actually wants themBypass capacitors aren't optional decoration. Place them right or watch your rails bounce when the load steps.
- Linear regulators when switching feels like overkillWeekend projects don't need buck converters. Sometimes a quiet 7805 and proper heat management are exactly enough.
- Thermal relief that won't melt your patienceSpoke connections on your pads aren't cosmetic—they're the difference between a joint that flows in three seconds and one you curse for thirty.
- Version your hardware like you mean itSilkscreen dates and commit hashes turn three identical boards into a timeline you can actually debug.
- Ground your boards before you ground yourselfStatic discharge kills components silently. A proper ESD workflow costs less than replacing one microcontroller and takes thirty seconds to build into habit.
- Power the weekend like it mattersA fragile rail is not a character trait. It is unfinished work.