Working on my first PCB design and stuck on component selection - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: sixcatstoomany
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 05:05:04 am
content: I'm trying to make my first PCB from youtube tutorials, and I'm not sure what to trust on mouser. There's images, descriptions, and datasheets, and they don't seem to align with one another.Here's an example of what is supposed to be a 4 pin connector. I'm not sure if it's 4 pin like the text and datasheet say, or 5 pin like the image shows. I'm also not sure if it has screw holes on the side like the datasheet says, or if it doesn't as shown in the image.The item in question ishttps://www.mouser.ca/ProductDetail/TE-Connectivity/4PCV-04-008?qs=yKKWDs81BSg9yjfh4sJXfw%3D%3DIs there a way to sort by accurate images? A 4 pin version of what's depicted in the image is exactly what I am looking for, but if I can't trust the images then it will be a lot harder to find. Thanks.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 05:12:19 am
content: There is this caveat under the image:Quoteso I would trust the information in the Specifications section.Also, from the datasheet there is a table listing all of the products with part numbers 4PCV-XX-008, and in that table XX is the number of positions (see attachment below).

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 05:12:56 am
content: Look at the drawings and specs on the second page of the datasheet. You'll see that what you'll get is a 4-pin with mounting ears, just like in the Mouser description (although those aren't 100% perfect). The photos are often just representative of a general series or line from that manufacturer.

author: sixcatstoomany
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 05:17:44 am
content: Alright, thanks. I found that if I select In Stock and Normally Stocked, as well as sort by price, it's not too bad finding what I'm looking for. Cheers.

author: Solder_Junkie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2025, 08:35:50 am
content: Having made a few mistakes with designing print boards, may I offer some basic advice for home designers?Before making your board, or before sending off to be made, ensure you have the components in your hands first. Print off a paper copy of the board and check the parts fit. It might sound crazy but we all get excited and send off the board design only to find something doesn't fit.Recent examples include FETs that have rectangular legs, whereas the layout I used had small round legs (it wouldn't fit), ALPS rotary pots that were a perfect fit into the holes in the board, but the pot was physically too large for the space (I used the manufacturers data sheet for the dimensions) and a phono socket that was a loose fit in the holes, not the end of the world but could have been a better fit.In addition to paper board layouts, a digital caliper to measure component sizes is almost essential.At least the Chinese board makers are very low cost, so mistakes are only time consuming. $3.50 for a set of 5 boards delivered to the UK including postage and tax is incredible,SJ