Largest PCB hole size.

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1

I am trying to design a pcb that will fit in a small project box, but I need a pushbutton switch on the box.

The problem I have is all the pushbutton swiches that I find are long in length. Only solution I can come up with is to put a hole in the center of my pcb to allow the button to fit inside the pcb. follow?

So, I would like to know how large of a hole is possible to put in a pcb.

any other suggestions are welcome too.

Thanks,

steve

2

nomad:
I am trying to design a pcb that will fit in a small project box, but I need a pushbutton switch on the box.

The problem I have is all the pushbutton swiches that I find are long in length. Only solution I can come up with is to put a hole in the center of my pcb to allow the button to fit inside the pcb. follow?

So, I would like to know how large of a hole is possible to put in a pcb.

any other suggestions are welcome too.

Thanks,

steve

You can get PBs with long actuator rods. You could put one of those on your board with the actuator coming through a hole in the box.

Or, just have a couple of pads on the PCB and connect to the switch (mounted on the box) with wires.

Leon

3

definitely. Case-mount PBs are the way to go. You can also find SMD PBs that come off the board at 90 degrees (ie: “sideways”). Would save you putting a hole in the board. To answer your original question, though, there is no real “maximum” to the size of a hole you can put in your PCB, though there are practical limitations (ie: try not to weaken the structural integrity of the board too much, etc.)

4

I think GoldPhoenix has a maximum drill size. On the other hand, if you need a bigger hole (and don’t need it plated for some reason) you can maybe get the board trimmed to a shape that give you a hole.

5

nomad:
I would like to know how large of a hole is possible to put in a pcb.

Thanks,

steve

In my experience 240thou (6mm) is about the largest hole size that a board shop will drill.

If you want something larger then provide a mill file or a Gerber with a trace (96thou / 2.4mm is the most common) in the position that you want.

If you will want to get it right make sure that the cutter/trace goes clockwise for a hole and anticlockwise for an external profile.

Just to make sure send them a dimensioned drawing with your hole size detailed.

Hope this helps.