PCB Layout Rules of Thumb for Consideration

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

Just because a “rule of thumb” is usually based on experience instead of precise facts doesn’t negate its value. For instance, when I told my kids that a good rule of thumb was not to back-talk to their mother, they discovered very quickly how accurate my advice was once they crossed that line. There are a lot of rules of thumb that we rely on daily, including those that apply to PCB design.

While many aspects of PCB layout are governed by procedures, standards, and workflows, there is still much that belongs only to tribal knowledge. Unless this knowledge is collected, documented, and incorporated into a design database, it will only exist in the information that gets passed from one designer to the next. Let’s take a look at some of the more common PCB layout rules of thumb and see how they apply to the boards we are currently laying out.

Start with a Plan
Something that you probably won’t ever find printed in a company procedure or a PCB design tutorial is the importance of having a plan before you start. Many layout designers have been known to plunge right into a new design, without first considering all the ramifications of what they are doing. This can lead to routing frustrations and eventual changes to the placement to complete the design correctly. To avoid problems like these, give some thought to what you are trying to accomplish before you start placing parts. 

To read this entire article, which appeared in the November 2024 issue of Design007 Magazine, click here.