• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

support@expresspcb.com

Support Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific.


ExpressPCB

ExpressPCB

ExpressPCB

  • PCB CAD Software
  • ExpressPCB Manufacturing Service
    • Manufacturing Capabilities
    • MLB Construction
  • ExpressPCB Support
    • FAQs
    • ExpressPCB Plus Release Notes
    • ExpressPCB Classic Release Notes
  • My Account
Download Plus Download Classic

What is the difference between a Pad and a VIA?

You are here: Home / Technical / What is the difference between a Pad and a VIA?

July 10, 2015 by ExpressPCB

You want to use pads in places where you will be soldering a component lead.  Feel free to connect traces to the pad on either layer.  Vias are used where you just want to pass a signal from one layer to the other.  Vias are not used to solder in components.

Physically pads and vias are identical.  They both are made using the same process.  Each have copper rings on the top and bottom layers and are connected together with a plated through hole.

They differ in how the ExpressPCB program handles them during your editing process.  When connecting traces, the ExpressPCB program may choose to eliminate a via if traces are connected to it only on one layer.  If this happens, you will see the via has been removed.

Technical Grunge Music

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox

Footer

Support Hours

Support Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM Pacific Time

We provide support to our customers by email. Our support staff responds to questions the same day and often within just an hour or two.

You can contact ExpressPCB about our CAD software, our circuit board manufacturing service, placing orders, payment of orders, or orders previously submitted by sending email to:
support@expresspcb.com

Sitemap

  • Home
  • PCB CAD Software
  • Express PCB Manufacturing Service
  • News
  • FAQs
  • Support
  • My Account

Newsletter

Get the latest news, events and announcements straight to your inbox.

By providing your email address you are agreeing to receive software and service updates, latest news and information from ExpressPCB. Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2022 ExpressPCB. All rights reserved.

Request Download


Download

By requesting ExpressPCB Classic you are agreeing to receive email regarding software and product updates, industry news and discount codes from ExpressPCB. Privacy Policy

Request Download


download

By requesting ExpressPCB Plus you are agreeing to receive email regarding software and product updates, industry news and discount codes from ExpressPCB. Privacy Policy