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Questions relating to designing PCBs
By dabatman
#187395
So I am trying to design a matrix of LEDs using CCDs with a separate voltage rail for red, blue, and green. I plan on making a PCB to do this but am having trouble coming up with the correct trace width. If my matrix is 8x8, and the LEDs draw 40mA a piece, then I end up with 2.56 amps. This would be for one long trace connected to all of the LEDs. If I make it a grid based lattice structure, can I just split that up evenly with some oversize? The farther away from the power source may have some voltage ripple I guess.

My first thought was to make one long trace down the middle and branch off with smaller ones tying in for rows of LEDs. It seems like if I do a grid based system I could have smaller traces all across the board and save space. I am just now sure how you calculate that though.
By InactiveUser001
#187605
Get the PCB toolkit from Saturn PCB (Google it), it will aid you in working out track widths (and lots more).

Its OK to run a pair of tracks for the power and branch off, just ensure they are a pair and your not making big gnd loops etc.