Copper pattern?

[Al Keyworth]

I found a pattern under a SMT capacitor resembling a trident with the "handle" looped around hot end pad like a guard ring and connected to ground. I can understand the guard ring but has anyone seen this pattern and if so, what does it accomplish?

[Tom]

Al,

Was the capacitor Polarized (Tantalum or Electrolytic)? Can you cut and paste the capacitor and trident pattern in a PADS file and attach it to this thread.

[Al Keyworth]

Here's a sketch of what it looks like. It's a ceramic ac coupling cap with the etch patterns as shown.

[randychase]

Image file: