Hi everyone,

I’m designing a small PCB for an industrial weighing system using load cells and a 24-bit ADC. The board will be installed near motors, vibrofeeders and contactors, so electrical noise is a concern.

Would you recommend separating analog and digital ground planes, or using one continuous ground plane with careful component placement? Are there any specific shielding, filtering or isolation practices that work well for load-cell signals?

I’m planning to manufacture the prototype through PCBWay, so I would appreciate any layout suggestions before submitting the design.

 

Hi fellow !!! I´ve designed such kind of product and I´ll try to give you some tips. I don´t know what ADC you are using but, regardless of it, In my opinion the best choice is to separate analog and digital signals, mainly GND planes. An more than this: if your buddget allows, I highly recommend you to use isolators IC ... I mean: separate completely the ADC from the CPU. I´m gonna send you a simple suggestion that I have used in the last 25 years and workout pretty good. Believe me: there are too many solutions better and cheaper then mine ... but mine works !!! Beyond a good hardware you will have to follow some mandatory layout rules in order to face and defeat EMI. And the last but not the least: implement robust digital filtering FW routines because they are essential in noisy environments, settings with high levels of vibration and mainly EMI. Good luck pal !!!