vias on homemade pcb

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

Using an IC socket is a nightmare when traces are on the top side of the board, under the IC and you try to use a socket. I read this:

or buy the little pins made for the purpose (called 'vias')

...but have searched and searched to buy something called vias and can't find anything. Is there such a thing?

2

I've heard of them but never seen them.

Bottom line is be careful with topside tracks, even if you have to put a via right next to the component.

If you've already made the board the machined IC sockets are easier to solder than the cheaper "pressed contact" version.

Rob

3

I've seen things called eyelets or hollow rivets for making vias by hand. They seemed kinda big for a typical 0.1" package.

If it's for a component lead, it isn't a via, it's a plated through-hole. A via is only a conductor to another layer (yes, there is a hole). A PTH is intended for a component lead. A PTH may or may not have traces connected on both sides of the board.

If you need a via, you can do it with a "Z-wire" - drill a hole large enough for the wire, and solder it on both sides.

If you are designing your PCB for home etching, don't make the component PTH do double-duty as a via - construction can be a pain.

-j

4

drill a hole large enough for the wire, and solder it on both sides

A good way to do it is to lay the board on some styrofoam and poke all the wires (I used to save the cut off resistor leads) through into the foam. Solder one side then flip and solder the other side.

Rob

5

Ah yeah, the best idea may be not to do the plated through hole at all, but just put a via right next to the IC when needed.
thanks,

6

I got some of these many years ago, they were called funelets and were just big enough to put an IC into. I haven't seen them for some time. They were very very expensive given how small they were, £0.20 each!!!

7

There's these kind of things at dipmicro.com also
15 cents each if buy 10 or more
Pin Receptable 3.45mm/0.136” - dipmicro electronics
Pin receptable 0.038” (0.96mm) internal diameter. Solder mount in 0.04” (1.02mm) mounting hole.