Rectangular pin 1 pads for THT packages?

[fruchti]

KiCad's convention requires that a THT footprint's pin 1 pad is rectangular, except for non-polarized parts. The pool's parts currently have consistent pads for everything.

This PR made me think of putting this question up for discussion.

[atoav]

I would have nothing against it. This certainly helps with clear communications ("Put the longer lead in the square hole") and might also help to keep silk screens clean.

[fruchti]

It would be interesting how the different pad could affect assembly. I haven't had many boards with rectangular pin 1 pads but with the ones I had, I found the rectangular pad a bit awkward to solder sometimes. But maybe it's just my soldering ;)

[atoav]

I had it on multiple PCBs with varying qualities. I never really had any problem with it. If we want to make it nice we could round the corners of the rectangle/square a tiny bit to make avoid solder not reaching the corners.

[fruchti]

Just did a board with rectangular pin 1 pads the other day (after ages just with round pads) and you're right, it isn't an issue (at least for manual soldering). I may have had some false memories there.

The only drawback for rectangular pads I can think of is that they always occupy a bit more space than an equivalent circular pad which may be inconvenient for the layout.

Apart from that, it's a question of style.

[carrotIndustries]

Apart from that, it's a question of style.

It definitely is. I personally prefer all pads looking the same. Anyhow, there's nothing wrong with alternate packages having square pin as long as the primary package has all pads identical.

[fruchti]

Apart from that, it's a question of style.

It definitely is. I personally prefer all pads looking the same. Anyhow, there's nothing wrong with alternate packages having square pin as long as the primary package has all pads identical.

f1c56b3 adds a short rule for this.