Final PCB Error Checklist

The following is a collection of errors that have previously been made in SSI PCBs. It is presented here so that future boards have a list of errors to check for, to avoid fates ranging from embarrassment to system failure. It is encouraged that all SSI PCB designers check through this list prior to generating design files for a board.

SSI Hall of Coaster-makers
Category	Error	Description	Solution	Notable Entrant
Schematic Errors	Inconsistent Net Naming	When two nodes must be electrically connected but aren't visually connected in the schematic by a single wire, naming their nets two different things and causing there to be no connection, leading to a trace not being placed.	Check ICs to make sure all pins are routed or appropriately not connected.	Sasha Maldonado, on ValBal Generation IV, where the chip select for an SD card was labeled "SDCS" at one point and "CS" at another.
	Wires and Pins Not Aligned On Grid	Improperly setting the snap grid in the schematic editor, such that wires and pins can appear connected at a quick glance but not actually be connected, leading to a trace not being placed.	Check ICs to make sure all pins are routed or appropriately not connected. Avoid setting the schematic editor snap grid to anything other than 10 [units].	Kirill Safin, on HAB Main Avionics PoS1, where a number of pins appeared connected but were very much not.
Routing Errors	Sensitive Analog Traces Near Noise Sources	When a trace carrying an analog voltage - i.e. a voltage or current sense - is routed in a way that makes it likely to pick up noise, affecting the analog value.	Route sensitive analog lines first, shielded by ground planes when appropriate, and then be mindful of the placement of noise-inducing devices (i.e. inductors). On two-layer boards, cross traces on opposite layers at right angles to each other to minimize noise coupling.	Sasha Maldonado, on ValBal Generation V.I, where a voltage sense line was run under and parallel to an inductor in a switching power converter, creating a small transformer and rendering the voltage sense useless.
Silkscreen Errors	Silkscreen Over Pads/Vias	When silkscreen - a line, part label, etc - is place over an etched pad or a via and therefore doesn't fully print.	Visualize the board in 3D  3, where intersections between silkscreen and board features are more obvious.	Sasha Maldonado, on ValBal Generation V, where multiple part labels were printed over exposed copper and so were awkwardly clipped - some to the point of being nonfunctional.
	Failure to Place Information on Board	Not placing the standard set of silkscreen features on a board - board name, designer name(s), date, revision, sponsor logos, SSI logo. "Made with <3 in Stanford, CA" is hardly required but encouraged.	Just do it. Seriously. Your work takes a bunch of your time. It should look good.	Cameron Ramos, who did none of this on the Can Transceiver Board v2.

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