Schematics and PCBs

[johnyze]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the newbie question, but how do you guys transfer your schematics into a PCB configuration. I get confused sometimes trying to link this to that. Also, what is the deal with PCBs, how do they work exactly? I seem to have trouble understanidng where the part leads go, and then how the things connect up. Sorry again for the newbie question. Thanks so much for the patient help!

[Joe Davisson]

A PCB serves the purpose of connecting the parts together, acting as the "wires" in the circuit. To convert a schematic to a PCB, the pinouts of various parts must be known, then the connections drawn accordingly. It's a big game of connect-the-dots.

At first, it's better to build simple circuits on plain perfboard instead of etching PCB layouts. Most basic electronics books will provide a good resource for deciphering the schematic symbols. Datasheets can be found for chips/transistors by searching Google for "part number + datasheet".

-Joe