Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Altium Develop helps your entire team stay aligned on component decisions — from library to schematic to manufacturing: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=altium-academy-shorts&utm_content=the-smd-component-mistake-everyone-makes-shorts-engineering
Are you skipping part numbers on your SMD passives? It might seem like a reasonable shortcut, but in regulated industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical, specifying exact part numbers isn't optional — it's essential. General-purpose SMD components often aren't qualified for high-reliability applications, and some will literally fail catastrophically in vacuum conditions. This short breaks down why a simple description on DigiKey is never enough for mission-critical designs.
Specialized components like thin film 0402 resistors rated to 40GHz or RF/microwave capacitors with high self-resonant frequencies can only be properly specified with an exact part number. If you're designing impedance matching networks, Wi-Fi systems, or anything operating at elevated frequencies, generic MLCCs won't give you the performance guarantees you need. Get into the habit of locking in part numbers — at minimum in your schematics, and ideally in your component libraries from the start.
👉 Check out When to Add Part Numbers to SMD Passives: youtu.be/Z7GB8qOY7vg
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The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #engineering
Altium Develop helps your entire team stay aligned on component decisions — from library to schematic to manufacturing: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=altium-academy-shorts&utm_content=the-smd-component-mistake-everyone-makes-shorts-engineering
Are you skipping part numbers on your SMD passives? It might seem like a reasonable shortcut, but in regulated industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical, specifying exact part numbers isn't optional — it's essential. General-purpose SMD components often aren't qualified for high-reliability applications, and some will literally fail catastrophically in vacuum conditions. This short breaks down why a simple description on DigiKey is never enough for mission-critical designs.
Specialized components like thin film 0402 resistors rated to 40GHz or RF/microwave capacitors with high self-resonant frequencies can only be properly specified with an exact part number. If you're designing impedance matching networks, Wi-Fi systems, or anything operating at elevated frequencies, generic MLCCs won't give you the performance guarantees you need. Get into the habit of locking in part numbers — at minimum in your schematics, and ideally in your component libraries from the start.
👉 Check out When to Add Part Numbers to SMD Passives: youtu.be/Z7GB8qOY7vg
💡 Stay Connected:
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth tutorials and tips from @AltiumAcademy. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe for more: youtube.com/@AltiumAcademy?sub_confirmation=1
Don't forget to follow us on social to stay up-to-date on the latest Altium Academy content.
👉 Follow Altium on TikTok: tiktok.com/@altiumdesigner
👉 Follow Altium on Twitter: twitter.com/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Linkedin: linkedin.com/company/altium
👉 Follow Altium on Facebook: facebook.com/AltiumOfficial
The Altium Academy is an online experience created to bring modern education to PCB Designers and Engineers all across the world. Here you can access a vast library of free training and educational content covering everything from basic design to advanced principles and step-by-step walkthroughs. Join industry legends as they share their career knowledge, review real-life design projects, or learn how to leverage one of Altium's leading design tools. No matter your level of experience, the Altium Academy can help you become a better Designer and Engineer!
About Altium LLC
Altium LLC (ASX:ALU), a global software company based in San Diego, California, is accelerating the pace of innovation through electronics. From individual inventors to multinational corporations, more PCB designers and engineers choose Altium software to design and realize electronics-based products.
#Altium #PCBDesign #engineering
