[sdiy] NC pin on ICs

[ASSI]

On Friday 22 May 2009, David G. Dixon wrote:
> When a pin on an IC (such as, say, the HFA3128 PNP transistor array
> in 16-pin DIP format) is denoted as "NC", can it actually be
> connected to something (say, the all five of the emitters) without
> adverse effect?  (I ask this because it will make a layout I'm
> working on significantly easier.)

N.C. normally means "not connected", which is datasheet speak for "we 
saved a superfluous bond wire"; but I'd be extremely reluctant to just 
tie this pin to something functional.  Even if the datasheet matches 
up with reality on this chip you have right now, the "replacement" 
part you get tomorrow may actually have a different idea of what N.C. 
should mean.  They may still not place a bond there, but have the pin 
shorted to the die paddle or bond it to whereever they think is 
fashionable.  If you must, you can either cut off that pin if you 
really, really need the space.  You can also (safely) gain some extra 
wiggle room by not placing a pad on the hole for that pin.


Achim.
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