PCB Design for Breakout Modules
Thought for 11 sec
If there truly isn’t another part using that reference, then this sounds like a KiCad annotation/cache glitch, not a real electrical problem.
What to try next
Table
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Save the schematic |
| 2 | Run Annotate Schematic for the whole sheet |
| 3 | Accept the automatic renumbering |
| 4 | Run ERC again |
| 5 | If it still acts weird, close KiCad and reopen the project |
A symbol reference can get “sticky” after copy/paste or partial reannotation. So even if you only see one instance with that name, KiCad may still be tracking stale annotation state.
Strongest test
- Delete the problem symbol completely
- Save
- Close and reopen the project
- Place a fresh new copy
- Annotate the whole schematic
- Let KiCad assign the first available number automatically
Don’t hand-force the references yet. Let KiCad assign them all in one pass, then continue wiring.
If you want, I can walk you through the exact clean order for:
- placing all 16 symbols
- annotating them
- assigning the
EN1..EN16andSIG1..SIG16nets without fighting KiCad.
Net labeling steps
Check ERC issues
Find annotation command
