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Mudf4ce
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
 Posted - 16 Oct 2017 : 13:16:33
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I often design boards that have both high and low voltage systems on it (3v3 and 240V RMS mains most commonly).
In the schematic view I use net classes to specify the min/max width based on the current through each trace but really would also like to set the guard spacing in the same place (having a 3v3 class and a 240V class for example).
Having to go into the nets dialog in the PCB view and set the spacing per net separately seems counter productive and increases the risk of errors in the design, especially if the schematic changes.
Am I missing something? If not, could this be a feature request? It's also possible I am trying to do something unconventional, if so, do advise me on how you are 'supposed' to do this in Easy-PC.
Thanks guys (and gals).
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DavidM
United Kingdom
458 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2017 : 13:37:12
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There is a feature in the Spacings page of a PCB Technology that allows you to define 'Net Match' spacings. This includes the ability to specify by net class. Thus you could in your master PCB Technology file create the relevant net classes, then use them in the Spacings page to assign larger spacings for those high-power nets. For example:
Technology, Net Classes, add net class "240V".
Technology, Spacings, Rule Level = Net Match, Add rule for [240V]-to-*
Now you can set the desired spacings between items on any net that uses that class and items on other nets, which you can manage from your Schematic by creating the same set of net classes. Admittedly this doesn't use Guard Spacing, but as you have already found this is only available on a per-net basis.
Having said that, if you really did want to stick to Guard Spacing, you can predefine Nets in a technology file as well as net classes. Thus you could add the same set of 'known' nets to both SCM and PCB technology files so that they are already present when a new design is created, you don't have to wait until they are added to the PCB when you do Translate from the Schematic.
David. |
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Mudf4ce
United Kingdom
4 Posts |
Posted - 16 Oct 2017 : 14:00:08
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This is exactly what I was looking for!
I'd seen the net level rules in the help file but my misunderstanding of them made it sound no more useful than the per-net guard spacing. Your additional explanation cleared that up entirely.
Thank you very much. |
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Iain Wilkie
United Kingdom
1015 Posts |
Posted - 17 Oct 2017 : 12:03:36
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The "Net Match" feature in EasyPC is a very powerful tool when you master how to use it. It means you can apply different spacing rules on different layers as well.
Well worth getting a grip off !!
Iain
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Guard spacing for net classes