Running Design Rule Checks in KiCad

Running Design Rule Checks (DRC) in KiCad is an essential step in the PCB design process. DRCs help ensure that your board layout meets specific physical and electrical constraints, minimizing the risk of issues during manufacturing or in the final product. Here's how you can perform DRCs in KiCad, focusing on a typical workflow found in versions like KiCad 5 and KiCad 6, with minor differences between them.

For KiCad 6:

  1. Open Your PCB Layout: Make sure you have your PCB layout open in Pcbnew, KiCad's layout editor.

  2. Access DRC Tool: Go to the "Inspect" menu on the top toolbar, then select "Design Rule Checker".

  3. Configure DRC Settings: In the DRC window, you'll see various settings you can configure. These settings include:

    • Clearance: The minimum distance between different net elements.
    • Track Width: The minimum and maximum widths for tracks.
    • Via Dimensions: Minimum size and drill size for vias.
    • Microvia Dimensions: If your design uses microvias, their minimum size and drill size.
    • Unconnected Items: The tolerance for how close an unconnected pad can be before it's considered connected.
    • Minimum Copper Area: The smallest allowed copper area.

    You can also manage net classes here, which apply different rules to groups of nets.

  4. Run DRC: With your rules set, click the "Start DRC" button. KiCad will begin checking your layout against these rules.

  5. Review Results: If DRC finds any issues, they will be listed in the DRC window. Issues are typically categorized into errors and warnings. Clicking on an issue will zoom in on the affected area on your layout. It’s crucial to address these issues, as they can lead to problems with manufacturing or functionality.

  6. Adjust Your Design: Go back to your layout and make the necessary adjustments based on the DRC results.

  7. Rerun DRC: After making adjustments, run the DRC again to ensure all issues have been resolved.

For KiCad 5:

The steps are quite similar to those in KiCad 6. However, you'll access the DRC tool by clicking on the bug icon in the top toolbar of Pcbnew or going through the "Tools" menu and selecting "DRC".

Additional Tips:

  • Save Often: Before running a DRC, it's a good idea to save your work. While KiCad is stable, it’s a good practice to save before performing intensive operations.
  • Use Online DRC Services: Some PCB manufacturers offer online tools where you can upload your Gerber files, and they will perform a DRC based on their manufacturing capabilities.
  • Consult Your PCB Manufacturer: Before finalizing your DRC settings, check if your PCB manufacturer has specific requirements that you need to adhere to. Adjust your DRC settings in KiCad accordingly to match these requirements.

Performing DRCs is a critical step in ensuring the manufacturability and functionality of your PCBs, and KiCad provides a robust toolset to assist you in this task.

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