# General **URL:** https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/c/general/4.md [Latest](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/latest.md) · [Categories](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/categories.md) · [Tags](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/tags.md) --- ## [Welcome to SierraConnect! 👋](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/welcome-to-sierraconnect/5)
**Author:** [@system](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 61\ **Last updated:** [January 2, 2024, 10:06pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/welcome-to-sierraconnect/5 "2024-01-02T22:06:06Z")
We are so glad you joined us. SierraConnect Review the terms of service for the SierraConnect PCB forum. Learn about user responsibilities, privacy policies, and the legal guidelines for using our platform. Here are … --- ## [About the General category](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/about-the-general-category/3)
**Author:** [@system](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/system)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [August 15, 2024, 8:25pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/about-the-general-category/3 "2024-08-15T20:25:36Z")
--- ## [Filling unused signal-layer space: GND pour or copper thieving?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/filling-unused-signal-layer-space-gnd-pour-or-copper-thieving/4448)
**Author:** [@Olivia](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Olivia)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [September 15, 2026, 2:52pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/filling-unused-signal-layer-space-gnd-pour-or-copper-thieving/4448 "2026-09-15T14:52:33Z")
I’m trying to understand the best practice for filling unused areas on signal layers. I’ve seen conflicting guidance: some recommend leaving copper thieving to the fabricator for copper balance, while others use GND pour… --- ## [TEST: Which PCB Designer Are You?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/test-which-pcb-designer-are-you/4264)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 16, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/test-which-pcb-designer-are-you/4264 "2026-07-16T19:29:56Z")
Originally published at: https://www.protoexpress.com/blog/test-which-pcb-designer-are-you/ How about a little PCB designer test? But the fun kind of test! Every engineering team has them. The designer who refuses to… --- ## [Proto Express UI](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/proto-express-ui/4198)
**Author:** [@Ayyanar.Raja](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Ayyanar.Raja)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [July 2, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/proto-express-ui/4198 "2026-07-02T01:07:56Z")
Hi Team, I have small suggestion in Proto Express Website, while handling the Engineering Queries. Under the Issues Tab, the colors for all the tabs could have been same. For example, BOM Issues Details by default havi… --- ## [\[SPOT THE FLAW\] CLUE: It's overlapping](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/spot-the-flaw-clue-its-overlapping/3786)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2026, 9:42pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/spot-the-flaw-clue-its-overlapping/3786 "2026-01-12T21:42:26Z")
--- ## [Have you experimented with 3d printed PCBs? What were your results?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/have-you-experimented-with-3d-printed-pcbs-what-were-your-results/3376)
**Author:** [@steve.carney](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/steve.carney)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [July 18, 2025, 6:42pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/have-you-experimented-with-3d-printed-pcbs-what-were-your-results/3376 "2025-07-18T18:42:37Z")
Just curious to see what folks’ experience has been like with 3d printing. --- ## [We created this one for the PCB designers out there!](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/we-created-this-one-for-the-pcb-designers-out-there/3354)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 11, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/we-created-this-one-for-the-pcb-designers-out-there/3354 "2025-07-11T16:14:53Z")
--- ## [POLL: What’s the most time-consuming part of your PCB workflow?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/poll-what-s-the-most-time-consuming-part-of-your-pcb-workflow/3313)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 23, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/poll-what-s-the-most-time-consuming-part-of-your-pcb-workflow/3313 "2025-06-23T17:07:51Z")
Let’s hear it: what’s the most time-consuming part of your PCB workflow? Everyone’s got that one step that slows them down. Maybe it’s where the real magic happens… or maybe it’s where your sanity goes to die. We dropp… --- ## [3D printing and PCBs](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/3d-printing-and-pcbs/3273)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/3d-printing-and-pcbs/3273 "2025-06-12T16:18:38Z")
“The one thing that’s been talked about for a long time is the 3D printing world. Okay. 3D printing and PCBs. We’re following this very closely. Some of the RF people and some of the aerospace and defense are starting … --- ## [Not math, only muscle memory: The human model behind AI](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/not-math-only-muscle-memory-the-human-model-behind-ai/3222)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 28, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/not-math-only-muscle-memory-the-human-model-behind-ai/3222 "2025-05-28T15:14:20Z")
“This is a very flawed mental model. But what it really comes down to is, you could hit a tennis ball with a tennis racket at a certain force with the strings at a certain tension, and you could model that whole system… --- ## [Clarifying My Understanding of DDR3 Signal Routing](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/clarifying-my-understanding-of-ddr3-signal-routing/3152)
**Author:** [@rayansayedpd](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/rayansayedpd)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [May 8, 2025, 3:07pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/clarifying-my-understanding-of-ddr3-signal-routing/3152 "2025-05-08T15:07:33Z")
This is my first time designing a high-speed PCB. I’ve gone through available literature on DDR3 signal routing and put together the following summary to clarify my understanding. I’m sharing this to make sure my underst… --- ## [OPEN DISCUSSION: What are your thoughts on the future of AI in PCB design?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/open-discussion-what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-future-of-ai-in-pcb-design/2803)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 8\ **Last updated:** [February 5, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/open-discussion-what-are-your-thoughts-on-the-future-of-ai-in-pcb-design/2803 "2025-02-05T16:08:53Z")
AI has made its way into various aspects of engineering, including PCB design. From automating design layouts to optimizing performance for high-speed circuits, the possibilities seem endless. But where is this heading, … --- ## [CAPTION THIS: Robotic precision in assembly?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/caption-this-robotic-precision-in-assembly/2881)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [February 4, 2025, 6:16pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/caption-this-robotic-precision-in-assembly/2881 "2025-02-04T18:16:29Z")
poll --- ## [Role of 0Ω or 100mΩ Resistors in PCB Designs](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/role-of-0-or-100m-resistors-in-pcb-designs/1329)
**Author:** [@Jane](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Jane)\ **Replies:** 7\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2025, 2:45pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/role-of-0-or-100m-resistors-in-pcb-designs/1329 "2025-01-28T14:45:47Z")
I’ve noticed that some schematics incorporate 0Ω or 100mΩ resistors. What role do these resistors play, and why are they included in PCB designs? Typically, when we want to measure the current drawn by a load, we place … --- ## [CAPTION THIS: I'm not complicated, I'm just well-connected!](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/caption-this-im-not-complicated-im-just-well-connected/2807)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 14, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/caption-this-im-not-complicated-im-just-well-connected/2807 "2025-01-14T17:42:01Z")
poll --- ## [MEME: Keep calm and route again](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/meme-keep-calm-and-route-again/2798)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 10, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/meme-keep-calm-and-route-again/2798 "2025-01-10T17:07:34Z")
Hope your Friday is going better! --- ## [Can I travel with tons of PCBs in my luggage?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/can-i-travel-with-tons-of-pcbs-in-my-luggage/2631)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [November 5, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/can-i-travel-with-tons-of-pcbs-in-my-luggage/2631 "2024-11-05T18:34:27Z")
Knock knock PCB folks! I’m flying to Raleigh soon and need to bring tons of boards with me to display at PCB Carolina. Will airport security find it weird? Checked bag or carryon? Has anyone ever had issues passing with … --- ## [What is tie bar](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/what-is-tie-bar/441)
**Author:** [@jacobkurian](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/jacobkurian)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/what-is-tie-bar/441 "2024-10-28T18:17:21Z")
what is tie bar and how it is applied on pcb edge connector --- ## [Ground Pouring Strategy for 4-Layer PCB Design](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/ground-pouring-strategy-for-4-layer-pcb-design/1480)
**Author:** [@nikh](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/nikh)\ **Replies:** 6\ **Last updated:** [June 24, 2024, 3:12pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/ground-pouring-strategy-for-4-layer-pcb-design/1480 "2024-06-24T15:12:26Z")
In my 4-layer PCB design featuring the SIGNAL/GND/POWER/SIGNAL stackup, I’ve opted against pouring ground-connected copper on the top and bottom signal layers. Since, I’ve come across suggestion, that adding ground on th… --- ## [Tying Digital and Analog Grounds with a Resistor](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/tying-digital-and-analog-grounds-with-a-resistor/1473)
**Author:** [@Timmann17](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Timmann17)\ **Replies:** 2\ **Last updated:** [June 7, 2024, 1:52pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/tying-digital-and-analog-grounds-with-a-resistor/1473 "2024-06-07T13:52:25Z")
Upon examining the schematic of a motor driver board, I observed that the digital and analog grounds are connected via a 3.9 ohm 1/4 watt resistor. However, I’m curious to understand the rationale behind using a resistor… --- ## [I'm giving away 2 tickets for Luke Combs at the Levi's stadium!](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/im-giving-away-2-tickets-for-luke-combs-at-the-levis-stadium/1421)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 13, 2024, 11:00pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/im-giving-away-2-tickets-for-luke-combs-at-the-levis-stadium/1421 "2024-05-13T23:00:43Z")
Is anyone here from the Bay area? I’ll pick a lucky winner for 2 tickets for Luke Combs’ concert in Santa Clara on May 17th. You’ll get to watch the show from Sierra’s premium suite with food and beverage. Trust me, th… --- ## [Enhancing PCB Corrosion Resistance for Outdoor Environments](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/enhancing-pcb-corrosion-resistance-for-outdoor-environments/1338)
**Author:** [@jerrysaitter](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/jerrysaitter)\ **Replies:** 5\ **Last updated:** [May 6, 2024, 1:58pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/enhancing-pcb-corrosion-resistance-for-outdoor-environments/1338 "2024-05-06T13:58:04Z")
I am facing challenges with one of my PCBs, which is exposed to moisture in outdoor environments. The problem is that moisture keeps finding its way into the enclosures, sometimes leaving the circuit boards exposed to wa… --- ## [PCB design Choice](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/pcb-design-choice/1048)
**Author:** [@Jane](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Jane)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 29, 2024, 12:48pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/pcb-design-choice/1048 "2024-02-29T12:48:57Z")
I was looking at schematic and noticed a design choice I’m curious about. Is there any specific reason to use two resistors instead of one equivalent resistor? Are there any benefits of doing this? --- ## [Importance of Network Transformers in Ethernet Connections](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/importance-of-network-transformers-in-ethernet-connections/1135)
**Author:** [@Henry](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Henry)\ **Replies:** 3\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2024, 4:33pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/importance-of-network-transformers-in-ethernet-connections/1135 "2024-02-27T16:33:29Z")
Why are network transformers used in Ethernet connections? Why is it so important? --- ## [Introduction Topic](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/introduction-topic/1112)
**Author:** [@Dylan\_Michael](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Dylan_Michael)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [February 19, 2024, 6:21pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/introduction-topic/1112 "2024-02-19T18:21:46Z")
Hi am a new member here, just saying hello hope everyone has a good day today. --- ## [RF signal design](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/rf-signal-design/956)
**Author:** [@Jane](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/Jane)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 16, 2024, 1:16am UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/rf-signal-design/956 "2024-02-16T01:16:29Z")
I have a 2” RF signal with 50 ohm with line impedance out to a coaxial connector. The return loss is better than 25 dB. Will it work for high-speed digital signals? --- ## [We're all here for medtech!](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/were-all-here-for-medtech/236)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 12, 2023, 9:38pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/were-all-here-for-medtech/236 "2023-10-12T21:38:01Z")
--- ## [FUN FACT: Did you know that you could bake chocolate PCBs?](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/fun-fact-did-you-know-that-you-could-bake-chocolate-pcbs/865)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 12, 2024, 11:50pm UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/fun-fact-did-you-know-that-you-could-bake-chocolate-pcbs/865 "2024-01-12T23:50:57Z")
In a delightful blend of technology and culinary creativity, there exists a unique concept called the “chocolate circuit.” Some inventive minds have crafted edible PCBs using chocolate as the base material. These tasty t… --- ## [TRUE OR FALSE: PCB traces should be as wide as possible to minimize resistance](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/true-or-false-pcb-traces-should-be-as-wide-as-possible-to-minimize-resistance/818)
**Author:** [@lucy.sierracircuits](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/u/lucy.sierracircuits)\ **Replies:** 4\ **Last updated:** [January 11, 2024, 12:01am UTC](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/t/true-or-false-pcb-traces-should-be-as-wide-as-possible-to-minimize-resistance/818 "2024-01-11T00:01:03Z")
Free I’M BOARD t-shirt\* for whoever gets it right! \*Shipping to U.S. only. [Next page](https://sierraconnect.protoexpress.com/c/general/4.md?page=1)