How do I automatically connect multiple pads to ground in a package that does not have a dedicated ground pin?

[joshua.kolenc]

Hello!

I am still finding my way around Eagle.  I did search the forum without finding an answer to my specific question.

I am making a pcb footprint for a specific potentiometer that I want to use.  There are two shielding pins (one on each side of the package.  These pins should always be connected to ground.  I cannot append them to another connection on the potentiometer as the pins may or may not be connected to ground.  

I figure that there has to be a way to do this without creating ground pin on the schematic symbol.  Will naming the pin GND automatically connect them to ground?  If so, how do I get around the fact that I cannot name two pins GND?

The pins are labelled SH1 and SH2 in the attached screen grab

Sorry if this is an obvious question.  Thanks!

[joshua.kolenc]

I moved this over to the eagle forum.  Sorry about that!

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/eagle-forum/how-do-i-automatically-connect-multiple-pads-to-ground-in...

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @joshua.kolenc ,

I hope you're doing well. It works the same in both programs so I'll answer here. You will need an extra pin somewhere. Here's a how I would approach it:

1. Create an extra symbol with a pwr pin called GND (this assumes the shield pins will always connect to a signal called GND so it's not the most flexible but it's what you are asking for.)

2. In the device editor you will have two gates, one the normal potentiometer symbol, the other will be that extra symbol you created.

3. In the connect dialog, map both shield pads to the extra symbol pin.

4. Set the Addlevel for the extra symbol to request instead of next.

Here's the end result, when you use the potentiometer in a design by default only the pot symbol will come in. Because the power pin is named GND it will automatically connect to the GND net. If you ever need to override that, you can use the INVOKE command to bring in the power pin and connect it to some other net.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[joshua.kolenc]

That worked!  Thanks!