PCB copper pads

[vk6bgn]

Hello All,

I have been etching out some PCB's for my next PICAXE project and thought I'd make some of the copper pads square in shape to signify those components that are polarity sensitive such diodes, electrolytic etc. etc.

Question, on professionally manufactured boards, is the square pad designating the components positive or negative lead.

"HRA"

 

[MartinM57]

Normally positive ... and square pads are sometimes used for pin(/leg) 1 on ICs as well

 

[Dippy]

The only time I have ever noticed square pads was on a hardware programmer made by MELabs.
On an electro cap the square was the postive and also they used square pads to indicate pin 1 on SIP and DIP footprints.

I don't think it's very common as most people go by the ident as they (or their robot ) stuff the component from the ident side.

Blimey, Martin was in quick? "Leg" Martin? How quaint

 

[Andrew Cowan]

Often connectors (eg a SIL connector) will have pin1 designated by a square pad.

 

[Dippy]

Competition: How many times can we all say the same thing?

 

[Jamster]

the same thing