The Energy Saving Bulb Board

The traditional incandescent bulb is an energy waster and it should be removed off shelves. My new technology is focused on improving the energy utilization of the bulbs and making them more efficient when it comes to energy saving.

The technology is based on the FAN7710N integrated circuit, which is a modern IC built by Fairchild. The IC is suitable for compact fluorescent ballast. For more information about the IC check the datasheet which will give a better outlook on how the IC works and its suitable characteristics.

Apart from FAN7710 IC, other components that make this project complete are listed below;

• 1n4007 diode 4
• Electrolytic capacitors polarized; 10u, 50V 1
• Electrolytic capacitors polarized; 10u, 400V 1
• Unpolarized electrolytic capacitor 680n, 25V 1
• Unpolarized electrolytic capacitor 100n, 25V 1
• Unpolarized electrolytic capacitor 470p, 1000V 1
• Unpolarized electrolytic capacitor 2n7, 1000V 1
• UF5400 diode 3
• Inductor 2mH5 1
• Resistor 470k
• Resistor 82k
• Fuse 100mA
• Screwed terminal block connector 01x02 3

The Schematic Discussion

The schematic is designed through KiCAD EDA whereby the components are wired accordingly, they are given symbol designators, loaded with footprints and the electrical design rules check is carried out. It is at the design of the schematic where BOM files are generated too. Before moving to the PCB layout process, you need to generate the netlists which will help you place the schematic on the PCB layout working area. Check The Engineers Hub for the process of schematic design using KiCAD.

The PCB routing

At this level, the PCB components are connected with well-designed traces. The traces should be at least 0.254mm and should have a 45 degrees bend. The components must be arranged in order of the schematic which separation of high heat dissipation components from low heat dissipation components. Add vias to your board to increase conductivity. The routing process will end with the addition of copper pores to our layers and also a design rule check to ensure that everything has been done accordingly.

Generation of the 3D and Manufacturing files

The process ends here so that you can proceed to manufacture.

You convert the routed board into a 3D design. It is also important for us to generate the manufacturing Gerbers, pick and place, drill files, and any other relevant file that would make the fabrication of the board successful. This can be achieved using the same KiCAD design tool.

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PCBway KiCAD Plugin for Ordering for Manufacturing

Sometime back, ordering for manufacturing from the KiCAD design tool to PCBway manufacturers was a difficult and much-involving process. Today the process is just a one-time click courtesy of the introduction of the PCBway

To install the plugins;

• Open KiCAD, then go to ' Plugin and Content Manger' as shown below;

Click it and scroll down until you come across 'PCBway plug-in for KiCAD as shown below by the curser

Finally hit install and the plugin will automatically be installed as shown below.

When you click the PCBWay Plug-in button on Kicad, we will export these files to your project：

1. Gerber files in the correct format for production

2. IPC-Netlist file

3. Bom-file that includes all information of components

4. Pick and Place-file used in the assembly