How to measure and place components at the edge of PCB board

How far the components should be placed from the edge of the PCB board is things that are often asked by PCB beginners. This tutorial shows how in Altium designer how one can measure the distance between the component and the distance between the component and the edge of the PCB board so that one knows where to place the component.

There are standards such as IPC standards that dictates the distance between the components, between the components and the edge for different types of components such as axial or radial, through hole or surface mount and for discrete, IC etc.

Below shows a typical example of how to measure and place distance dimension in a PCB layout in altium designer. Suppose we have an initial PCB board like the one shown below.

The picture above shows series of through hole resistors placed along the edge of the PCB board. We dont know how far the left most resistor is placed from the two edges of the board. Here we can use the standard dimension tool in altium designer. This tool can be activated and used from the toolbar. It is available in the under utility as Place Standard Dimension.

 The distance from the right side edge is 3.3mm. The minimum recommended distance from side of the PCB board is 1.9mm. The distance is well within the recommended distance from the edge. So we can go move the resistor more closer to that side of the edge.

Similarly, the distance of the center of the pad of the resistor to the bottom edge of the PCB board is 4.216 which is also within the recommended distance of 2.29,

Now lets check the side to side distance between the pads of the resistors R11 and R9. This distance should have a minimum separation of 2.54mm.

 The measure distance is 4.115mm which is also within the recommended spacing between the discrete axial THD component. So for example if there is scarcity of space in the PCB board or if the design should be made small we could place them closer without worrying about the possibility of damaging the devices when soldering them.

Another component placement is the placement of discrete radial THD such as electrolytic capacitor. The board has an electrolytic capacitor placed at the edge of the PCB board as shown below.

The measured distance of the electrolytic capacitor from the edge is 3.353mm which is also within the recommended distance from edge which is greater than the half of the diameter of the electrolytic capacitor or the radial THD device or r> 1.52mm.

This altium designer tutorial showed you how to place components at the edge of the PCB by marking the distance in PCB layout using the standard dimension tool in altium designer.

Related Posts by Categories