Creating a part with a grounded case in Eagle

Community PCB Design
1

All,

I’ve been experimenting with creating custom parts with some success. However, I have a new challenge which isn’t covered in any example or tutorial I’ve seen.

I have a remote-control IR sensor which I want to create a device for in Eagle. It has three connections, +5, signal, and ground. But only two pins; The ground connector is the case. What’s the best way to handle this in eagle? I see two problems. First, the case has to be grounded in some way. Right now i’ve just created a really big through-hole pad for one of the mounting pins, but this seems like a hack. Secondly, I need to be able to stop traces from being placed below the part, as they might short (or would they with the solder mask?).

Any ideas?

2

Got a datasheet for the part?

3

Ya, I’m having trouble picturing what you are talking about.

Usually, if you need to solder a part or a tab to a larger area you use a large SMD pad.

4

No datasheet. Got it surplus.

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/p … mber=G8155

There’s two pins that come out from a PCB inside the metal case. The metal case itself is the third line, ground. When I use this on a breadboard, I just solder a wire to the side of the case. But I’m looking for a suggested way to achieve the same thing on a PCB.

I’m using a combination of micrometer and digital camera to do the physical layout, I just don’t know how to make the ground pin I put on the symbol connect to the case of the part.

5

looks like the case has 2 “pins”, er tabs, you can use. You’ll need holes for the tabs so why not treat them like pins?

6

I’ll try that. Then add a restriction to stop any traces or vias from being put under the part.