Multiple vias on high-current traces...

[pamcinto]

I know it can be done with PowerPCB 5.0 and I've seen questions concerning this posted all over this site, but I have no idea how to put multiple vias in parallel with each other on a high-current trace....

Help!

[Tom]

To add muliple vias on any trace, RMB (right mouse button) Select Traces / Pins. Then select the exact spot on the trace where you want a via. Then RMB Add Via.

Or you can use "Stitch Vias". RMB Select Nets. Select anywhere on the trace that you want to add vias. RMB Add Via and a via will be placed on your cursor and you can place it where ever you like. When you place it, another via will appear on your cursor and you continue to place the vias and ESC when completed.

[pamcinto]

So I can see that this works to add vias.

PADS deletes any loops automatically so that I can't make vias in parallel. As soon as I try to swap layers with two vias instead of one, PADS deletes one of the vias. Is this a setting that I need to change? Won't the error checker complain if I disable loop deletion and do it anyways?

[Tom]

I've experienced this same problem myself. When you switch layers PADS wants to delete the loops. So when I really have to, I place a copper path the same width as the trace to create the loop. It works.

[Cadcrusher]

You can glue the via's so Pads won't remove them........

[Tom Frayda]

You can also just intiate the route by RMB=>Route Loop (or just CTRL+J) instead of just Route.


+Tom