Click here for a list of the parts required to build an SC515, v1.0, 14-slot backplane.

Experienced builders can just go ahead and populate the board. There shouldn’t be any surprises to catch you out.

Introduction

This guide assumes you are familiar with assembling circuit boards, soldering, and cleaning. If not, it is recommended you read some of the guides on the internet before continuing.

First check you have all the required components, as listed in the parts list.

Before assembling it is worth visually inspecting the circuit board for anything that looks out of place, such as mechanical damage or apparent manufacturing defects.

The picture below shows what a completed SC515, 14-slot backplane should look like.

Bus sockets

Testing

Before fitting cards to the backplane, always thoroughly inspect the board for poor solder joints and for shorts between pins. The importance of visual inspection can not be over stated.

You could use a continuity tester to check for continuity and shorts, but if you thoroughly inspect the board there shouldn’t be any problems.

PCB supports

If you wish to use the backplane exposed on a desk it is recommended that some form of supports are fitted to raise and support the backplane. This can be something as simple as small self-adhesive feet stuck on the bottom of the board over the mounting holes. Alternatively, nuts and bolts could be used, or some other form of mounting.

When mounting in a case the M3 (3 mm diameter) fixing holes can be used with suitable fixings.

More information

The SC515 User Guide can be found here.

Other information about SC515 can be found here.