Free coursesShortsLabGuidesQuizGamesSearchOur workAbout & contact
LESSONPCB Design with KiCad · Part 8EP.228 · 24 s

PCB Design with KiCad Part 8: place parts like a pro

Cover of the lesson: PCB Design with KiCad Part 8: place parts like a proComing to YouTube soon
Subscribe on YouTube Follow on Instagram
// WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Connectors at the edges, the decoupling capacitor right next to the chip's power pin, short paths for important signals.

// LESSON NOTES

Your parts just landed on the board in a messy pile? Place them like a pro 👇 (KiCad, Part 8)

1️⃣ Connectors (USB, power, headers) at the board edges, so cables can plug in.
2️⃣ The decoupling capacitor (100 nF) RIGHT next to the chip's power pin — a long path slows it down and the noise gets through.
3️⃣ Short paths for important signals: untangle the ratsnest before you draw tracks.
⌨️ In KiCad: M = move, R = rotate.

Read the voiceover (transcript)
  1. Messy pile of parts? Let's place them like a pro!
  2. Rule one: connectors at the edges, so cables can plug in.
  3. Rule two: the decoupling cap right next to the chip's power pin.
  4. Guess: why so close?
  5. A long path slows it down, and the noise gets through!
  6. Rule three: short paths for important signals. Press M to move, R to rotate.
  7. Next: how wide should a track be? Follow for Part 9!

Related lessons

EP.196 · PCB Design with KiCad · 6PCB Design with KiCad Part 6: symbol vs footprint — one part, two drawings EP.180 · PCB Design with KiCad · 5PCB Design with KiCad Part 5: ERC — let KiCad find your wiring mistakes EP.164 · PCB Design with KiCad · 4PCB Design with KiCad Part 4: Power symbols + net labels EP.148 · PCB Design with KiCad · 3PCB Design with KiCad Part 3: Your first schematic — battery, resistor, LED