Electronic – KiCad Multiple power inputs

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I'm working on a project in KiCad.

I have a connector that has multiple connections for GND, +5V, and +12V (all set to type: Power Output) in order to increase the maximum current. However, I don't know how to tell eeSchema that I want to do this.

When I connect them all to GND, +5V, and +12V (respectively), I get the error ErrType(5): Conflict problem between pins. Severity: error and it tells me that the power pins from the connector are connected to each other – just the way I want it.

Is it possible to acheive this without editing the connector schematic or should I change the pin types to passive for all except one on each plane?

Best Answer

Multiple power symbols are not there to increase the maximum current. They are used when different parts of your circuit operate on different voltages. For an example you might have a digital circuit that runs at 5V DC, which controls a 12V relay. The +5V and +12V symbols are used to distinguish between these different rails. If you want to increase the maximum current that can be carried in a line, you have to do it in pcbnew. When you route the board, make sure to create a net class for GND and your positive rails, and give them an higher value for track width.