2 layers45.5 × 71 mm 8 switch array, the printed circuit board in 3D

8 switch array

BeeHive: a flexible open hardware platform for behavioural experiments

Size: 45.5 × 71 mm
Copper layers: 2
Thickness: 1.6 mm
Parts: 35
Nets: 33
Pads: 92
Tracks, vias: 80, 0
Pours: 3
Routed: Yes
KiCad: KiCad 5 (file 20171130)
Created: 14 Nov 2019
Updated: 22 Sep 2026

Overview

8 switch array is an open-source printed circuit board by BeeHive-org, from the BeeHive-org/BeeHive repository on GitHub, published under the MIT licence. It is a 2-layer board of 45.5 × 71 mm with 35 parts on 33 nets, routed with 80 tracks and 0 vias.

It is built around the TPIC6595N. Its parts include 11 connectors, 8 resistors, 8 transistors, 1 capacitor and 1 IC.

Main components

TPIC6595N
PDIP-20-40℃~+125℃ 1 4.5V~5.5V 8 Open Drain Serial-to-Serial or Parallel TPIC PDIP-20 Shift Registers ROHSTexas InstrumentsShift Registers

README

hardware/PCBs/8_switch_array/readme.md

BeeHive system: 8 port switch array

Hardware overview

In order to allow to use arbitrary type and number of simple tools such as low power electronics (LEDs, fans, etc) in experiments, a set of 8 switch arrays was developed. The 8 pin version utilizes a 74HC595 shift register, allowing to connect more components with less amount of pins. The power fed to the element being switched can vary from 5 to 12 volts.

Programming switches

An 8 switch array behaves exactly like a 74HC595 shift register but transistor switches allow bigger currents to flow through given loads

Safety

Do not connect or disconnect connectors while power is ON. All adjustments must be done ONLY when power is OFF.

3D models

Current design of 8 switch version:

Parts

Qty	Value	Footprint	References
9	Conn_01x02	Connector_JST:JST_XH_B2B-XH-A_1x02_P2.50mm_Vertical	J3, J4, J5, J6, J7, J8, J9, J10, J11
8	270	Resistor_THT:R_Box_L13.0mm_W4.0mm_P9.00mm	R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8
8	Q_NPN_EBC	Package_TO_SOT_THT:TO-92_Inline_Wide	Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6, Q7, Q8
2	Conn_01x04	Connector_JST:JST_XH_B4B-XH-A_1x04_P2.50mm_Vertical	J1, J2
1	100nF	Capacitor_THT:C_Disc_D7.0mm_W2.5mm_P5.00mm	C1
1	TPIC6595	Package_DIP:DIP-20_W7.62mm	U1

The 29 most common of 35 parts.

Questions

How big is the 8 switch array PCB?

It measures 45.5 × 71 mm and has 2 copper layers, 1.6 mm thick.

What parts does the 8 switch array use?

35 parts, built around the TPIC6595N. The full list of its parts is on this page, with links to each part's symbol and footprint where PCBKit's library has them.

Where can I download the 8 switch array KiCad files?

From the BeeHive-org/BeeHive repository on GitHub, at the commit this page was made from: the board is hardware/PCBs/archive/8_switch_array/8_switch_array.kicad_pcb. PCBKit opens the board in the browser, with nothing to install.

Can I use the 8 switch array design in my own project?

Its repository publishes it under the MIT licence: you may reuse it on that licence's terms (keep the author's notice, and for a copyleft licence share your changes alike).

Topics

pcb schematics behavior laboratory hardware

Project files

Show this board on your page

A live frame, for any web page

<iframe src="https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/beehive-org-beehive-8-switch-array-2" title="8 switch array in PCBKit" width="100%" height="480" style="border:0;border-radius:12px" allow="fullscreen" loading="lazy"></iframe>

A picture

<img src="https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/beehive-org-beehive-8-switch-array-2.jpg" alt="8 switch array" width="1200" height="900">

A picture that opens the board, for a README

[![8 switch array](https://pcbkit.io/embed/boards/beehive-org-beehive-8-switch-array-2.jpg?size=s)](https://pcbkit.io/boards/beehive-org-beehive-8-switch-array-2)

Source

Repository: BeeHive-org/BeeHive
Board file: hardware/PCBs/archive/8_switch_array/8_switch_array.kicad_pcb
Commit: a7bbd36
Licence: MIT

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