VIA Problem

[Anonymous]

Hello all,

This may be a simple question, however when I go to place a via in my PCB (to get from top layer VCC to bottom layer ground), and I attempt to connect a signal from a GND pin on a surface mount part to the via to connect said pin to GND, it instead tries to route to a existing connection that I have laid out on the board and does not let me connect the signal to the via. What needs to be done to fix this? 

Thank You

[skndungu75TT4N3]

Hi Erik,

To add vias and make appropriate tracks you have to options.

1) When you have the route command selected and you are running a track from one signal/component to another just press the space bar and this will add a via and move you to the next layer.

2)You can just select the via command and add it to wherever you want it to be but this will not be connected to anything else, so make it connected you need to use the name command and click on the via, give it a name similar to the net name of the signal you intend it to be connected to, this will create an air wire from which you can then route normally

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Thanks, I have now figured that out, however I have a new problem. Whenever I try to connect a signal (i.e. S$7) to a pad i'm calling GND, in the middle of the signal I have a via, however when I change the layer on the other half of the via to GND, it only makes part of the signal GND, and I can't connect the signal to the pad when I make the part that touches the pad GND. How can I make the connection to GND? 

Thanks

[skndungu75TT4N3]

Hi Erik,

Lets have a clear shot of the signals, also I hope you are not running a via below a different signal, Vias run below or over other signals MUST be of the same signal, you will otherwise be ruining the circuitry via a short circuit, Just add some better shots so that we can have a better look

[one-of-the-robs]

You should NEVER be connecting S$7 to GND on the board.

If the pin at the other end of S$7 needs to be connected to GND then it should be connected to GND on the schematic. If that's the case, the airwire coming from that pin will be called GND, it will NOT be S$7.

If they're different nets on the schematic then they are different nets and SHOULD NOT BE CONNECTED. Full stop. No exceptions.

(Well, there are corner cases where two different nets need to be connected at one place only, e.g. VSS and GND or DGND and AGND, but that's a special case that needs to be handled in a special way, again with something on the schematic.)

Now, tell us why you think that doesn't apply in your case.