Hi guys!

I want to put a socket on the PCB so the MCU can be replaced/reprogrammed and returned. I am using KiCad. Any ideas on how to do it? I searched for such an option on google, but did not find anything. If it was a dev board I just put the pins in the footprint and use headers.

 

If it's a through-hole chip, just put the chip in your circuit and then fit the socket in the holes intended for the chip.

 

Hi guys!

I want to put a socket on the PCB so the MCU can be replaced/reprogrammed and returned. I am using KiCad. Any ideas on how to do it? I searched for such an option on google, but did not find anything. If it was a dev board I just put the pins in the footprint and use headers.

What pic is it? You can't program it in circuit?

 

Is this for a DIP or SMT Pic?
If DIP then as @AlbertHall already posted.
Kicad has nothing to do with Pic programming?
Max.

 

I have used a ZIF (zero insertion force) socket for that purpose, regardless of whether the chip was DIP or SOIC. SOIC ZIF's are more expensive. 3M makes some really nice ones for "burn in." ZIF's are also made for other surface mount packages, but I don't have experience with them.

For ordinary DIP's you can get them on eBay or elsewhere.

The advantage of a ZIF is that pin bending or breaking is virtually eliminated and the electrical contact is good even after many insertions and removals.

 

I want to put a socket on the PCB so the MCU can be replaced/reprogrammed and returned.

I would strongly recommend against that. I did my very first board that way and ruined multiple PICs by plugging them in and out. Use the in-circuit programming method. All you need is a 6 pin header on the board, and the programmer just plugs into it and you can re-program without ever removing the chip. I don't bother to use sockets, because, in all the projects I have made, I only had to replace a PIC once (when I connected the wrong supply voltage). Nowadays, I use SMT PICs, so socketing is not a realistic option.

Bob

 

In all the years I have used IC's of different types, I don't recall ever ruining 'Multiple IC's' by removing and replacing.
There possible may have been the odd one, but nothing that I can recall.
If done carefully or use a extractor tool, it has never been an issue.
Max.

 

Thanks for the replies!

This will work: "All you need is a 6 pin header on the board".

I don't want to use the in-circuit programming, given that the PIC will also be connected to something else, that something else can drain current and fail the programming.

 

In all the years I have used IC's of different types, I don't recall ever ruining 'Multiple IC's' by removing and replacing.
There possible may have been the odd one, but nothing that I can recall.
If done carefully or use a extractor tool, it has never been an issue.
Max.

I would ask for a link to that tool. I use a normal pincet.

 

In all the years I have used IC's of different types, I don't recall ever ruining 'Multiple IC's' by removing and replacing.
There possible may have been the odd one, but nothing that I can recall.
If done carefully or use a extractor tool, it has never been an issue.
Max.

I guess you are less impatient then I am

Bob

 

I would ask for a link to that tool. I use a normal pincet.

Google 'dip ic removal tool' you can get everything from the simple 'plier' type to the more fancier versions.
Max.

 

Hello,

An extraction tool can be a very simple one:
https://www.rapidonline.com/rvfm-ic-extraction-tool-22-0321

Bertus

 

Hello,

An extraction tool can be a very simple one:
https://www.rapidonline.com/rvfm-ic-extraction-tool-22-0321

Bertus

I was thinking of asking you . I guess you heard me.

 

Thanks for the replies!

This will work: "All you need is a 6 pin header on the board".

I don't want to use the in-circuit programming, given that the PIC will also be connected to something else, that something else can drain current and fail the programming.

Not if the circuit is properly designed.