Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Altium Develop connects your schematic-to-manufacturing flow with in-context supply-chain data, so the right part lands in your BOM and issues get caught long before fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=one-minute-pcb-design-reviews&utm_content=your-isolation-isnt-isolated
In this 1 Min PCB Design Review, Altium Academy Tech Consultant Zach Peterson reviews a community-submitted motor driver and encoder interface board — and finds a design where the isolation isn't actually isolating anything. Zach walks through a TVS diode array tied to floating connector mount points, why you should route power and ground through ports instead of net names, and a subtle bill-of-materials error where a 12 V output is listed on a port that's really a fixed 5 V rail — exactly the kind of wrong part number that follows you all the way to manufacturing.
The heart of the review is galvanic isolation done wrong: the ground pins are connected straight across the optocoupler, and a non-isolated buck regulator bridges the 12 V and 5 V rails — so the optocoupler's isolation is completely defeated. Zach also covers a quick DFM fix for the through-hole headers and direct copper connections: use thermal reliefs so the joints stay solderable by hand or with selective soldering. It's a fast, practical look at motor driver and encoder interface design, optocoupler isolation, and PCB best practices for anyone routing power and control on the same board.
💡 Watch Next:
• How to Use Optocouplers for Galvanic Isolation: youtube.com/watch?v=Ubnt0OqhEFQ
• Omit the Ferrites! Motor Controller One Minute Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=2gkJ-NfH1oo
• Gonna Need Another Capacitor... 1 Min PCB Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=kfhd2-RUe94
🔹 Connect with Zach:
Want your design reviewed by Zach? Reach out to him on LinkedIn with your design and production files for a chance to be featured on our channel: linkedin.com/in/zachariah-peterson
💡 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 #optocoupler
Altium Develop connects your schematic-to-manufacturing flow with in-context supply-chain data, so the right part lands in your BOM and issues get caught long before fabrication: altium.com/develop?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=one-minute-pcb-design-reviews&utm_content=your-isolation-isnt-isolated
In this 1 Min PCB Design Review, Altium Academy Tech Consultant Zach Peterson reviews a community-submitted motor driver and encoder interface board — and finds a design where the isolation isn't actually isolating anything. Zach walks through a TVS diode array tied to floating connector mount points, why you should route power and ground through ports instead of net names, and a subtle bill-of-materials error where a 12 V output is listed on a port that's really a fixed 5 V rail — exactly the kind of wrong part number that follows you all the way to manufacturing.
The heart of the review is galvanic isolation done wrong: the ground pins are connected straight across the optocoupler, and a non-isolated buck regulator bridges the 12 V and 5 V rails — so the optocoupler's isolation is completely defeated. Zach also covers a quick DFM fix for the through-hole headers and direct copper connections: use thermal reliefs so the joints stay solderable by hand or with selective soldering. It's a fast, practical look at motor driver and encoder interface design, optocoupler isolation, and PCB best practices for anyone routing power and control on the same board.
💡 Watch Next:
• How to Use Optocouplers for Galvanic Isolation: youtube.com/watch?v=Ubnt0OqhEFQ
• Omit the Ferrites! Motor Controller One Minute Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=2gkJ-NfH1oo
• Gonna Need Another Capacitor... 1 Min PCB Design Review: youtube.com/watch?v=kfhd2-RUe94
🔹 Connect with Zach:
Want your design reviewed by Zach? Reach out to him on LinkedIn with your design and production files for a chance to be featured on our channel: linkedin.com/in/zachariah-peterson
💡 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 #optocoupler
