Basic question

[Magnus Danielson]

> Ok, time for a surprisingly rookie question.
> I've seen this term before.  What EXACTLY does it mean:
> 
> "Ground Plane"

Well, instead of just pulling small tiny wires of "ground" signal every here
and there you can make one side of the PCB to be the ground plane. Basically
you avoid etching of that copper which would otherwise just be around filling
up space. You actually let all (well almost all) groundings be done to this
plane of copper. When you want to draw a line you actually remove some copper
around the line. Same thing goes for holes etc.

> How do I make one in a circuit?  Is it the thick border of copper you
> are supposed to leave around a pcb which you hook to ground and make
> all of your "internal" grounds go to?
> (Are you supposed to completely surround the board, or leave a gap?
> I've seen both.)

I would be very carefull in letting the ground of a board be directly connected
to the chassi of the box. Also, haveing ground interconnections every here and
there migth not always be good. I personally think that all mechanical support
(screws, supporters etc) should NOT be connected to any cursuit (good physical
marginals.. I have seen screws eating throuth the laquier of a PCB and "rewire"
the box) without lot's of thougth have went trougth. So to answer your question
I would not let the groundplane near the edge... and not near the screw holes
either... you never know what they will connect for you...

Magnus