Semiconductor & Computer Engineering
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{{title|Not Connected (NC) pin}} | {{title|Not Connected (NC) pin}} | ||
'''Not Connected Pin''' ('''NC pin''') or '''Not Connected Terminals''' are pins found on various [[integrated circuit package]]s. Those pins have no functional purpose to the outside circuit (but may have unexposed functionality). Those pins should not be connected to any of your circuit connections (apart from possibly [[power rail]]s). | '''Not Connected Pin''' ('''NC pin''') or '''Not Connected Terminals''' are pins found on various [[integrated circuit package]]s. Those pins have no functional purpose to the outside circuit (but may have unexposed functionality). Those pins should not be connected to any of your circuit connections (apart from possibly [[power rail]]s). | ||
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| + | IC chips are mostly mass produced in a limited array of [[integrated circuit package types|packages]]. Most designers are thus restricted to one of those pre-defined packages. Sometimes the device that's designed does not utilize all the pins for various reasons. Some manufacturers may also designate some pins for their internal use only (e.g. calibration or testing). When that happens, those pins gets labeled "NC" or "Not Connected". | ||
== Use in EDA == | == Use in EDA == | ||
When designing circuits (e.g. for [[PCB]]s), marking NC pins correctly is very important because many of those tools with [[Electrical Rule Check]] capabilities can detect when something is mistakenly connected to them thereby issuing a warning. | When designing circuits (e.g. for [[PCB]]s), marking NC pins correctly is very important because many of those tools with [[Electrical Rule Check]] capabilities can detect when something is mistakenly connected to them thereby issuing a warning. | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
Revision as of 19:31, 26 November 2015
Not Connected Pin (NC pin) or Not Connected Terminals are pins found on various integrated circuit packages. Those pins have no functional purpose to the outside circuit (but may have unexposed functionality). Those pins should not be connected to any of your circuit connections (apart from possibly power rails).
IC chips are mostly mass produced in a limited array of packages. Most designers are thus restricted to one of those pre-defined packages. Sometimes the device that's designed does not utilize all the pins for various reasons. Some manufacturers may also designate some pins for their internal use only (e.g. calibration or testing). When that happens, those pins gets labeled "NC" or "Not Connected".
Use in EDA
When designing circuits (e.g. for PCBs), marking NC pins correctly is very important because many of those tools with Electrical Rule Check capabilities can detect when something is mistakenly connected to them thereby issuing a warning.