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Subject: Re: [geda-user] Footprints - mechanical pads
From: Stefan Salewski <mail AT ssalewski DOT de>
To: geda-user AT delorie DOT com
Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:32:15 +0100
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On Sat, 2013-03-30 at 00:32 -0400, Nathan Stewart wrote:
> 
> How should i handle pads which can optionally be connected to ground?
> 

You may use Soldering-Jumpers, available as Symbols and Footprints

http://www.gedasymbols.org/user/stefan_salewski/

I think that solution is not too bad -- the pads are not connected in
the footprint to not generate warnings, but you can connect them in PCB
program when you have finished your board, and ignore the warnings. Or
connect it with solder later. That is really not too bad, it makes it
easy to interrupt the connection -- i.e. for USB case it is not always
clear if we want a GND connection to the housing. Often it is indeed a
good idea to have no direct connection between case and ground -- I like
to have the possibility to insert a ferrite bead or similar. 

Maybe other better solutions exist?