Top Fifteen Mistakes Made When Designing PCB Prototypes

This is a fairly technical video, unrelated to replica props, but very much related to electronic design. I'm not an EE so everything I've learned has been through experience and mistakes, which is an interesting way to learn!

Did I miss the mark or do you agree with my top 15? I have other ideas in mind for other things people miss in their first creations but I'd love to hear from you!

Download KiCad:
https://www.kicad.org/download/

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1. Outdated Breadboards:
• Mockups are great for learning and testing, but can lead to frustration in complex projects.
• Loose wires and potential failures increase over time.

2. Make DIY hardboard:
• Solderable hardboard or pegboard can have similar problems to breadboards.
• DIY PCB methods like CNC milling or acid etching can be complicated and have limitations.

3. Design for production:
• Design the first PCB expecting it to fail, focusing on functionality testing.
• Size and shape considerations can come into play later; prioritize testing various features.

4. No test points:
• Lack of test points hampers debugging and error correction.
• Common feature testing buffers reduce the risk of blocked progress.

5. No power or diagnostic LEDs:
• Diagnostic LEDs for voltage levels and operations save time in identifying simple errors.

6. Overcrowded components:
• Avoid packing components tightly during prototyping; leave room for adjustments.
• Keep passives relatively large to make them easier to remove during testing.

7. Underutilization of screen printing:
• Clearly label components on the screen print for easy assembly and orientation.
• Make sure markings are legible on smaller signs.

8. Do not use isolation jumpers:
• Incorporate zero ohm resistors or cuttable jumpers for easy isolation during testing.
• Facilitates methodical escalations and simplifies troubleshooting.

9. Do not extract unused GPIOs:
• Deploy additional GPIOs to test and correct errors without ordering a new PCB.
• Adds flexibility for rewiring components or integrating external modules.

10. UART Mixtures:
• Ensure correct pairing of transmit and receive pins in UART components.
• Use specific jumpers or patterns to easily correct errors.

11. I2C address locking:
• Provide options to change I2C addresses using resistors for flexibility.
• Avoids the need to revise the PCB again due to conflicts.

12. Separate power supply PCB:
• Consider splitting the design into multiple boards, including separating the power supply.
• Allows power solutions to be tested independently without scrapping the entire PCB.

13. Choosing labeled surface mount resistors:
• Opt for labeled surface mount resistors for easy visual inspection and testing.

14. Check the fingerprints:
• Check the dimensions on the datasheet against the PCB footprints in your design software.
• Prevents ordering an incorrect footprint for components.

15. Check parts availability:
• Consider parts availability before designing the circuit.
• Speculatively order critical parts before PCB production to alleviate shortages.

Music:
• Kunal Shingade – Betelgeuse
• New Day – Inspired by Lakey
• Silent Partner – Bet on it
• Kevin MacLeod – Lobby Times
• Topher Mohr and Alex Elena – Where I Come From