Is it a good idea to powering my prototype PCB by onboard regulator or external supply? Any tips?

I'm laying out my PCB for the first prototype of my project. The board is relatively simple. I am now thinking of laying out the power section but am wondering if I should just power it from an external supply.

PCB Design
November 28, 2023

Yes, you can lay out an external power section with a nice meaty capacitor. It saves picking a VReg. Tips are as follows.

Over-spec the regulator for external power, so you don’t have to worry about the power requirements changing.
If you are involving high voltages, keeping it away from the main board is best. It is quite common for the power supply portion to be on a separate board anyway – makes for a more modular system that is easier to design or redesign.

Oliver Smith

Oliver is an experienced electronics engineer skilled in PCB design, analog circuits, embedded systems, and prototyping. His deep knowledge spans schematic capture, firmware coding, simulation, layout, testing, and troubleshooting. Oliver excels at taking projects from concept to mass production using his electrical design talents and mechanical aptitude.

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How do surface mount components withstand heat of reflow while through hole components can not?

Some online tutorials about soldering TH components, like transistors and ICs, are delicate components and can be easily damaged by heat. When it comes to soldering surface mount IC and components, some prefer to use a reflow oven which heats up the them to a temperature above the melting point of solder. So why?

Oliver Smith December 8, 2023

Do solder-mount screws exist?

I have a small circuit board that has no mounting holes but does provide unpopulated test point pads. Is there any option for machine screws or standoffs that I could solder into these for mounting the board?

Oliver Smith November 24, 2023

Are there any standard materials used to cover PCB SMT pads?

I have a PCB that was poorly designed and there is a ground pad that is too close to a signal pad. As a result, the signal pad on the surface mount component will short to ground. I was looking to use some ink or other material to cover the ground pad. The pads are too small to fit Kapton tape. Are there any standard materials used to cover PCB SMT pads?

Oliver Smith December 4, 2023

Is it a good idea to powering my prototype PCB by onboard regulator or external supply? Any tips?

Oliver Smith

Oliver Smith

What Others Are Asking

How do surface mount components withstand heat of reflow while through hole components can not?

Do solder-mount screws exist?

Are there any standard materials used to cover PCB SMT pads?

Read Detailed Advice From Blog Articles

Stacked Via VS. Staggered Via: What’s the Difference?

How to Design a PCB Schematic: A Step-by-Step Guide

High-Density Interconnect (HDI) PCB Design Guidelines