# 🎓 Best Practices **URL:** https://community.aisler.net/c/best-practices/99.md [Latest](https://community.aisler.net/latest.md) · [Categories](https://community.aisler.net/categories.md) · [Tags](https://community.aisler.net/tags.md) --- ## [About the 🎓 Best Practices category](https://community.aisler.net/t/about-the-best-practices-category/3561)
**Author:** [@Sarah-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Sarah-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [January 19, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/about-the-best-practices-category/3561 "2024-01-19T16:19:57Z")
This is the place for everyone to provide knowledge and to study from others about mistakes, pitfalls and how they can be solved. Occasionally we publish deep dives, check them out here. In addition we have started publi… --- ## [Stop comparator chatter by designing two switching thresholds](https://community.aisler.net/t/stop-comparator-chatter-by-designing-two-switching-thresholds/6057)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:51pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/stop-comparator-chatter-by-designing-two-switching-thresholds/6057 "2026-10-09T13:51:28Z")
A slowly changing sensor signal can cross the same comparator threshold several times because of noise. The output then produces several transitions where the application expected one. This is especially noticeable when … --- ## [A TVS diode's working voltage is not its clamping voltage](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-tvs-diodes-working-voltage-is-not-its-clamping-voltage/6056)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-tvs-diodes-working-voltage-is-not-its-clamping-voltage/6056 "2026-10-09T13:35:12Z")
Adding a transient-voltage-suppression diode to a connector is a common protection measure. A less obvious step is checking whether the voltage that remains during a transient is acceptable for the circuit behind it. Th… --- ## [A voltage divider is only the beginning: designing reliable ADC inputs](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-voltage-divider-is-only-the-beginning-designing-reliable-adc-inputs/6054)
**Author:** [@Siraman25](https://community.aisler.net/u/Siraman25)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 9, 2026, 1:18pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/a-voltage-divider-is-only-the-beginning-designing-reliable-adc-inputs/6054 "2026-10-09T13:18:48Z")
A sensor input can look correct in the schematic and still produce misleading measurements. Scaling the voltage into the ADC range is only one part of the design. The input also needs suitable bandwidth, acquisition time… --- ## [One Connector, Two Antenna Options: Switchable RF Connectors](https://community.aisler.net/t/one-connector-two-antenna-options-switchable-rf-connectors/5788)
**Author:** [@Florian2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Florian2)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [September 1, 2026, 2:51pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/one-connector-two-antenna-options-switchable-rf-connectors/5788 "2026-09-01T14:51:12Z")
If you’ve ever wanted to do antenna matching with a VNA or give your board the option of an external antenna instead of the on-board one without adding a second footprint or any extra circuitry, this small connector type… --- ## [Sizing Your PCB Ground Plane for SMD Chip Antennas](https://community.aisler.net/t/sizing-your-pcb-ground-plane-for-smd-chip-antennas/5774)
**Author:** [@Florian2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Florian2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 19, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/sizing-your-pcb-ground-plane-for-smd-chip-antennas/5774 "2026-08-19T12:28:43Z")
This guide is for anyone using an SMD chip antenna for the first time and wondering why board layout affects RF performance just as much as the antenna choice itself. Introduction You picked a good SMD chip antenna, ch… --- ## [Evaluating Low-Power Designs on a Maker Budget](https://community.aisler.net/t/evaluating-low-power-designs-on-a-maker-budget/5766)
**Author:** [@Florian2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Florian2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 17, 2026, 11:36am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/evaluating-low-power-designs-on-a-maker-budget/5766 "2026-08-17T11:36:09Z")
How do you actually know your battery-powered design will last as long as you calculated from datasheet values? Part of the problem is that regular multimeters aren’t built to resolve currents down in the µA (or even nA… --- ## [Managing a shared component library when working in a team](https://community.aisler.net/t/managing-a-shared-component-library-when-working-in-a-team/5731)
**Author:** [@Matthias2](https://community.aisler.net/u/Matthias2)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 27, 2026, 8:01am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/managing-a-shared-component-library-when-working-in-a-team/5731 "2026-07-27T08:01:37Z")
Having a shared component library can save time, reduce mistakes and make designs more consistent. Without proper management, however, it can create its own set of problems that may not be obvious at first. As a Formula… --- ## [Using Git with the Lovely Library](https://community.aisler.net/t/using-git-with-the-lovely-library/5711)
**Author:** [@Sarah-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Sarah-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 4:21am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/using-git-with-the-lovely-library/5711 "2026-07-14T04:21:58Z")
A shared KiCad library is only as trustworthy as your ability to see what changed, when, and by whom. Git gives you that for free. Here’s the whole workflow; from a folder on your disk to a repo your whole team can clone… --- ## [Create KiCad Footprints - 5 Tips](https://community.aisler.net/t/create-kicad-footprints-5-tips/5710)
**Author:** [@Sarah-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Sarah-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [July 14, 2026, 4:18am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/create-kicad-footprints-5-tips/5710 "2026-07-14T04:18:08Z")
A bad footprint doesn’t announce itself in the schematic - it shows up weeks later as a part that won’t fit, won’t place, or won’t solder. Here are five tips to help you create better footprints: 1. Study the datasheet … --- ## [Create a rectangle on silkscreen with fritzing](https://community.aisler.net/t/create-a-rectangle-on-silkscreen-with-fritzing/5690)
**Author:** [@Petric](https://community.aisler.net/u/Petric)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 29, 2026, 10:03am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/create-a-rectangle-on-silkscreen-with-fritzing/5690 "2026-06-29T10:03:19Z")
To get an Aisler coupon you have to draw an rectangle on the silkscreen layer with predefined sizes as shown in this Aisler Community post. Using fritzing for pcb design there is a problem. There is no line draw part to… --- ## [Before it Hurts: Three Practical Lessons for PCB Development](https://community.aisler.net/t/before-it-hurts-three-practical-lessons-for-pcb-development/5678)
**Author:** [@Pascal](https://community.aisler.net/u/Pascal)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 10, 2026, 10:18am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/before-it-hurts-three-practical-lessons-for-pcb-development/5678 "2026-06-10T10:18:03Z")
Designing a PCB is rarely only about creating a correct schematic and routing all signals successfully. Many problems appear elsewhere: a component may no longer be available, a downloaded footprint may contain an error,… --- ## [EAGLE EOL: Evaluating LibrePCB as a free Open-Source Alternative](https://community.aisler.net/t/eagle-eol-evaluating-librepcb-as-a-free-open-source-alternative/5653)
**Author:** [@Sarah-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Sarah-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 22, 2026, 8:04am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/eagle-eol-evaluating-librepcb-as-a-free-open-source-alternative/5653 "2026-05-22T08:04:46Z")
With Autodesk officially ending support for EAGLE on June 7, 2026\[1\], many of you are actively searching for a reliable free EDA tool. LibrePCB (v2.0+) has emerged as a strong European open-source option. It is free of c… --- ## [JST Connectors](https://community.aisler.net/t/jst-connectors/5633)
**Author:** [@Jason](https://community.aisler.net/u/Jason)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [May 5, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/jst-connectors/5633 "2026-05-05T10:26:55Z")
I’m working on a project that requires a small battery. Given the size of my board is small I decided to use a 3.7V battery I got off Digikey that is using a 2 pin JST connector. The two major things I wish I knew prior … --- ## [Placing Multiple Footprints with the KiCad “Place Footprints” Plugin](https://community.aisler.net/t/placing-multiple-footprints-with-the-kicad-place-footprints-plugin/5620)
**Author:** [@Akashdeep\_Singh](https://community.aisler.net/u/Akashdeep_Singh)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 29, 2026, 8:17am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/placing-multiple-footprints-with-the-kicad-place-footprints-plugin/5620 "2026-04-29T08:17:17Z")
The Place Footprints plugin in KiCad is useful when multiple components need to be placed with a defined spacing and a regular pattern. It can be used for different arrangements, such as: Matrix Linear placement … --- ## [Firmware updates via infrared in sealed 3D-printed enclosures](https://community.aisler.net/t/firmware-updates-via-infrared-in-sealed-3d-printed-enclosures/5543)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [March 2, 2026, 3:30pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/firmware-updates-via-infrared-in-sealed-3d-printed-enclosures/5543 "2026-03-02T15:30:49Z")
Things we wish we had known earlier Sealed 3D-printed enclosures have something deeply satisfying about them. No screws, no connectors, no openings that invite dust or moisture. The device is closed, finished, done. An… --- ## [Tolerance management between PCB and 3D printing](https://community.aisler.net/t/tolerance-management-between-pcb-and-3d-printing/5540)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 27, 2026, 8:23am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/tolerance-management-between-pcb-and-3d-printing/5540 "2026-02-27T08:23:22Z")
Designing electronics that combine a PCB with a 3D-printed enclosure often looks trivial in CAD. Everything lines up, the board fits perfectly, and connectors sit exactly where they should. In reality, this is rarely the… --- ## [Co-Design of PCB Antennas and 3D-Printed Enclosures / Practical RF Insights](https://community.aisler.net/t/co-design-of-pcb-antennas-and-3d-printed-enclosures-practical-rf-insights/5518)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [February 3, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/co-design-of-pcb-antennas-and-3d-printed-enclosures-practical-rf-insights/5518 "2026-02-03T08:31:58Z")
RF Signals Through 3D-Printed Enclosures – Practical Design Insights for PCB Designers Keywords: RF design, PCB antenna, 3D-printed enclosure, PETG, ABS, dielectric loading, enclosure coupling, antenna detuning Start h… --- ## [Bulk capacitors are more about placement than value](https://community.aisler.net/t/bulk-capacitors-are-more-about-placement-than-value/5510)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 29, 2026, 8:16am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/bulk-capacitors-are-more-about-placement-than-value/5510 "2026-01-29T08:16:22Z")
(especially with WS2812 / NeoPixel LEDs) If you’ve ever seen WS2812 (NeoPixel) LEDs flicker, shift colors or behave strangely at higher brightness, chances are the problem was not software and not the capacitor value. I… --- ## [Backlit RGB lightboxes with WS2812B](https://community.aisler.net/t/backlit-rgb-lightboxes-with-ws2812b/5508)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 28, 2026, 4:35am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/backlit-rgb-lightboxes-with-ws2812b/5508 "2026-01-28T04:35:38Z")
Why a PCB beats LED strips (and how to add Wi-Fi control in minutes) When building a 3D-printed lightbox, most people start with an LED strip. It works, but once you want controllable RGB, clean optics and reproducible … --- ## [Powering fully sealed 3D-printed electronics](https://community.aisler.net/t/powering-fully-sealed-3d-printed-electronics/5507)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/powering-fully-sealed-3d-printed-electronics/5507 "2026-01-27T19:30:12Z")
Fully sealing electronics has obvious advantages: protection against water and dust, electrical safety, mechanical robustness. With modern 3D printing, this can be achieved by embedding a PCB directly into the printed p… --- ## [Invisible capacitive touch button inside a 3D-printed enclosure](https://community.aisler.net/t/invisible-capacitive-touch-button-inside-a-3d-printed-enclosure/5506)
**Author:** [@Marcus](https://community.aisler.net/u/Marcus)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 27, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/invisible-capacitive-touch-button-inside-a-3d-printed-enclosure/5506 "2026-01-27T16:49:18Z")
I integrated a capacitive touch sensor completely behind a 1–2 mm thick enclosure wall. No hole, no mechanical button – touch works reliably through the housing, including LED feedback. The key is not the sensor itself… --- ## [Use 3D Models for Realistic Component](https://community.aisler.net/t/use-3d-models-for-realistic-component/5443)
**Author:** [@Eslam-Fayad](https://community.aisler.net/u/Eslam-Fayad)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 10:58am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/use-3d-models-for-realistic-component/5443 "2026-01-17T10:58:22Z")
Use 3D Models for Realistic Component Clearance Checks Always assign 3D models to your components. In KiCad 8.0+, use the Edit \> Update Footprints from Library feature to automatically pull 3D models for common componen… --- ## [3D-Printing a PCB Stencil Registration Tool](https://community.aisler.net/t/3d-printing-a-pcb-stencil-registration-tool/5450)
**Author:** [@Strooom](https://community.aisler.net/u/Strooom)\ **Replies:** 1\ **Last updated:** [January 17, 2026, 10:56am UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/3d-printing-a-pcb-stencil-registration-tool/5450 "2026-01-17T10:56:48Z")
Introduction When prototyping PCBs with SMT components, you need to apply solder paste. Aisler can provide you with a matching stainless steel stencil, aka the Stellar Stencil, which is of great help. Still, aligning th… --- ## [Ordering PCBs without Silkscreen](https://community.aisler.net/t/ordering-pcbs-without-silkscreen/5425)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 28, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/ordering-pcbs-without-silkscreen/5425 "2025-10-28T23:41:43Z")
Abstract This circuit appnote describes how one can export their PCB design without silkscreen layers from various EDA tools. Including: KiCad Target3001! DipTrace Easy-PC Introduction One might want to order PCBs… --- ## [Stencil aperture design](https://community.aisler.net/t/stencil-aperture-design/5420)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [October 20, 2025, 12:22pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/stencil-aperture-design/5420 "2025-10-20T12:22:29Z")
Abstract This circuit appnote outlines the factors that must be taken into account in order to design stencil apertures that improve solderability and yield. Introduction A stencil aperture refers to the opening in the … --- ## [Low cost M.2 boards for Makers](https://community.aisler.net/t/low-cost-m-2-boards-for-makers/5362)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [August 26, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/low-cost-m-2-boards-for-makers/5362 "2025-08-26T19:48:24Z")
Introduction We’ve been offering our 4-layer 0.8 mm PCB pool for a while now (as of October 2024, to be exact). The reduced height makes them ideal for space-constrained applications or for modules with castellated edge… --- ## [Colorful USB-C connectors](https://community.aisler.net/t/colorful-usb-c-connectors/4044)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [June 12, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/colorful-usb-c-connectors/4044 "2024-06-12T17:06:34Z")
Colorful USB-C connector?!? Yeah, that was my reaction too! While I was looking for components for a customer, I stumbled across these special versions, do they work better? No. Do they look cool? Yeah. You can even mak… --- ## [Best Practices Index](https://community.aisler.net/t/best-practices-index/5026)
**Author:** [@Felix-from-AISLER](https://community.aisler.net/u/Felix-from-AISLER)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [April 17, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/best-practices-index/5026 "2025-04-17T17:42:33Z")
Welcome to our AISLER Deep dives section, where we regularly add tutorials about a specific technical topics. This is the index. Are you missing an article? Then feel free to head over to the community and suggest an add… --- ## [Our Stencil Holder, a practical example for custom bridges](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-stencil-holder-a-practical-example-for-custom-bridges/2267)
**Author:** [@Thea](https://community.aisler.net/u/Thea)\ **Replies:** 0\ **Last updated:** [March 27, 2023, 1:07pm UTC](https://community.aisler.net/t/our-stencil-holder-a-practical-example-for-custom-bridges/2267 "2023-03-27T13:07:11Z")
When ordering a project your boards will be placed on a panel with other PCBs. Later on, when the individual designs needs to be seperated, we mill in between them to keep the mechanical stability of the panel intact. Du… [Next page](https://community.aisler.net/c/best-practices/99.md?page=1)