Introduction to PCB Design and EasyEDA

Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design is an essential skill for anyone involved in electronics engineering. A well-designed PCB ensures that your electronic project functions reliably and efficiently. One of the most popular tools for PCB design is EasyEDA, a web-based platform that offers a user-friendly interface and a wide range of features for designing and manufacturing PCBs.

In this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of using EasyEDA to design a PCB Schematic. We will cover everything from creating an account to generating Gerber files for manufacturing.

Getting Started with EasyEDA

Creating an Account

To get started with EasyEDA, you need to create an account. Go to the EasyEDA website and click on the “Sign Up” button in the top right corner. You can sign up using your email address, Google account, or Facebook account.

Navigating the Interface

Once you have created an account and logged in, you will be taken to the EasyEDA dashboard. The dashboard is divided into several sections:

• Projects: This is where you can create and manage your PCB projects.
• Documents: This section contains all the documents you have created, including schematics, PCB layouts, and Gerber files.
• Parts: Here you can search for and manage electronic components for your projects.
• Favorite: This section allows you to bookmark your favorite projects and documents for quick access.

Creating a New Project

To start designing your PCB schematic, you need to create a new project. Click on the “Projects” tab in the left sidebar and then click on the “New Project” button.

Give your project a name and description, and then click on the “Create” button. This will take you to the project dashboard, where you can create schematics, PCB layouts, and other documents related to your project.

Designing the Schematic

Creating a New Schematic

To create a new schematic, click on the “Schematic” button in the project dashboard. This will open the schematic editor.

Adding Components

To add components to your schematic, click on the “Components” button in the top toolbar. This will open the component library, where you can search for and select the components you need.

You can also create your own components by clicking on the “New” button in the component library and then selecting “Symbol.” This will open the symbol editor, where you can create a custom component symbol.

Wiring Components

Once you have added all the necessary components to your schematic, you need to wire them together. To do this, simply click and drag from one component pin to another.

EasyEDA will automatically route the wires for you, but you can also manually adjust the routing by clicking and dragging the wire segments.

Adding Net Labels

To make your schematic more readable and easier to understand, you should add net labels to the wires. A net label is a text label that identifies the function of a particular wire or group of wires.

To add a net label, click on the “Net Label” button in the top toolbar and then click on the wire you want to label. Type in the label text and press Enter.

Adding Power and Ground Symbols

Most electronic circuits require power and ground connections. To add these to your schematic, click on the “Power” or “Ground” buttons in the top toolbar and then click on the wire where you want to place the symbol.

Verifying the Schematic

Once you have completed your schematic, it’s important to verify that it is correct before moving on to PCB layout. Here are some things to check:

• Make sure all components are connected correctly and there are no missing or incorrect connections.
• Verify that all net labels are correct and consistent throughout the schematic.
• Check that the power and ground connections are correct and that there are no short circuits.

To help with verification, EasyEDA includes a built-in electrical rule check (ERC) tool. To run an ERC, click on the “Tools” menu and then select “Electrical Rule Check.” This will check your schematic for common errors and generate a report of any issues found.

Creating a Bill of Materials (BOM)

Once your schematic is complete and verified, you should create a bill of materials (BOM). A BOM is a list of all the components used in your project, along with their quantities, part numbers, and other relevant information.

To generate a BOM in EasyEDA, click on the “BOM” button in the top toolbar. This will open the BOM editor, where you can select the components you want to include and customize the BOM format.

Component	Quantity	Part Number	Description
R1	1	CRCW04021K00FKED	1k resistor
C1	2	C0402C104K8RACTU	0.1uF capacitor
U1	1	ATTINY85-20SU	ATtiny85 microcontroller

Generating Gerber Files

Once your schematic is complete and you have created a BOM, you are ready to generate Gerber files for manufacturing. Gerber files are the industry standard format for PCB manufacturing and include all the necessary information for fabricating your PCB, including the copper layers, solder mask, and silkscreen.

To generate Gerber files in EasyEDA, click on the “Fabrication” menu and then select “Gerber Viewer.” This will generate a set of Gerber files for your project, which you can then download and send to a PCB manufacturer.

Conclusion

Designing a PCB schematic in EasyEDA is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few simple steps. By following this guide, you should be able to create a professional-quality schematic that is ready for PCB layout and manufacturing.

Remember to always verify your schematic before moving on to PCB layout, and to generate a complete BOM and set of Gerber files for manufacturing. With practice and experience, you will be able to design complex PCBs with ease using EasyEDA.

FAQs

Can I use EasyEDA for free?

Yes, EasyEDA offers a free plan that includes access to all the basic features for PCB design, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and Gerber generation. However, the free plan has some limitations, such as a maximum of 10 schematics and 10 PCB layouts per project.

What is the difference between a schematic and a PCB layout?

A schematic is a graphical representation of an electronic circuit that shows the components and their connections. A PCB layout, on the other hand, is a physical representation of the circuit that shows the actual placement and routing of components on a printed circuit board.

Can I import and export designs from other PCB Design Tools?

Yes, EasyEDA supports importing and exporting designs in a variety of formats, including Eagle, Altium, and KiCad. This allows you to collaborate with other designers and use existing designs from other tools.

How do I choose the right components for my project?

When choosing components for your project, you should consider factors such as the required electrical characteristics, package size, and availability. EasyEDA includes a built-in component library with millions of parts to choose from, and you can also create your own custom components if needed.

How do I get my PCB manufactured?

Once you have generated Gerber files for your PCB, you can send them to a PCB manufacturer for fabrication. EasyEDA partners with several PCB Manufacturers that offer low-cost, high-quality fabrication services, and you can order PCBs directly through the EasyEDA platform.