Database standards
These conventions govern the descriptions, parameter values and columns in the generated .xls database workbooks. Following them keeps parts searchable,
sortable and consistent across manufacturers, whichever family a part comes from.
Every family's workbook follows this standard. The build rejects any row whose description is not all caps, ends with a period or starts with the wrong component prefix, whose value, tolerance, voltage, Tcr, temperature range, DCR or current is malformed, or that contains a non-ASCII character in any field. Use the workbook viewer on the Generate tab to check columns before you download.
General rules
| Rule | Convention |
|---|---|
| Descriptions | ALL CAPS, one line, no trailing period. |
| Parameter fields | Mixed case is allowed, for example 10nF or +/-15%. |
| SI prefixes | p, n, u, m, k, M. Write u, never µ. |
| Units | OHM in descriptions; V, A, W, Hz, F and H everywhere. |
| Tolerance | Absolute tolerances carry a unit (+/-0.25pF). Percentages use % (5%). Never write ±. |
| Temperature range | Minimum and maximum separated by a colon, for example -55:125. |
| Voltage | Always includes the V suffix, for example 25V or 6.3V. |
| Character set | ASCII only, in every database field. |
Description format
Descriptions are one line, ALL CAPS and space-delimited, with fields in the order defined for each component type.
Resistors
RESISTOR {CONSTRUCTION} {VALUE} OHM {TOLERANCE} {EIA_SIZE} Examples: RESISTOR THICK FILM 10K OHM 1% 0402 · RESISTOR JUMPER 0 OHM 0402
Jumpers use RESISTOR JUMPER 0 OHM {EIA_SIZE}. CONSTRUCTION is the film or element type, such as THICK FILM or THIN FILM.
| Range | Value notation in descriptions |
|---|---|
| Below 1 kΩ | Plain number: 100, 4.7 |
| 1 kΩ to below 1 MΩ | K suffix: 1K, 47K, 4.7K |
| 1 MΩ and above | M suffix: 1M, 2.2M |
Capacitors
CAPACITOR CERAMIC {VALUE} {TOLERANCE} {VOLTAGE} {DIELECTRIC} {EIA_SIZE} Example: CAPACITOR CERAMIC 100NF 10% 16V X7R 0402
| Range | Value notation in descriptions |
|---|---|
| Below 1 nF | PF: 100PF, 4.7PF |
| 1 nF to below 1 µF | NF: 10NF, 470NF |
| 1 µF and above | UF: 1UF, 100UF |
Inductors
INDUCTOR {CONSTRUCTION} {VALUE} {TOLERANCE} {DCR} {EIA_SIZE} Example: INDUCTOR MULTILAYER 4.7UH 20% 0.1 OHM 0402
Inductance uses an upper-case unit suffix: NH, UH or MH (100NH, 4.7UH, 10MH).
Ferrite beads
FERRITE BEAD {IMPEDANCE} {RATED_CURRENT} {EIA_SIZE} Example: FERRITE BEAD 60 OHM 1A 0402
IMPEDANCE is the typical impedance at 100 MHz, with the OHM unit (120 OHM, 1K OHM).
Database fields
Every workbook lists the common fields first, then the fields for its component type. By default it contains no other columns. Some families can add extra, non-standard columns, such as Power, Datasheet, alternate MPNs, SRF or Q: tick them under Extra / non-standard parameters on the family's card in the Libraries tab. Extra columns follow the standard ones and obey the same general rules. Alternate MPN columns (MFG 2 / MPN 2 to MFG 5 / MPN 5) are written only as far as some part in the workbook has an alternate to list.
Common fields (all types)
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Comment | Full MPN. The unique key the database library binds to. |
| Description | Per the description format above. |
| MFG | Manufacturer name, ALL CAPS. |
| MPN | Same as Comment. |
| Package | Imperial (inch) package name, ALL CAPS, for example 0402. |
| Library Path | Schematic library filename. |
| Library Ref | Symbol name, for example RES or CAP. |
| Footprint Path | PCB library filename. |
| Footprint Ref | Footprint name, nominal material condition (N). |
| Footprint Path 2 | PCB library filename (same). |
| Footprint Ref 2 | Footprint name, least material condition (L). |
| Footprint Path 3 | PCB library filename (same). |
| Footprint Ref 3 | Footprint name, most material condition (M). |
| Qual | Qualification, for example AEC-Q200. Blank if none. |
Resistors
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Value | Resistance as {number}{prefix}, without OHM: 100, 4.7k, 1M. Jumpers: 0. |
| Tolerance | Value tolerance: 5%, 0.1%. |
| Voltage | Limiting element voltage: 50V. |
| Tcr | Temperature coefficient: +/-100. ppm/K is implied. |
| Tr | Operating temperature range: -55:155. |
Capacitors
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Value | Capacitance as {number}{prefix}F: 100pF, 4.7nF, 10uF. |
| Tolerance | Value tolerance: 5%, +/-0.25pF. |
| Voltage | Rated DC voltage: 25V. |
| Tcr | Temperature characteristic: +/-15%, +/-30. |
| Tr | Operating temperature range: -55:125. |
Inductors
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Value | Inductance as {number}{prefix}H: 100uH, 4.7uH, 10mH. |
| Tolerance | Value tolerance: 5%, 20%. |
| DCR | DC resistance: 0.1, 2.1m. Ohms are implied. |
| Current | Rated RMS current or Isat, as applicable: 1.5A. |
| Tr | Operating temperature range: -40:85. |
Ferrite beads
| Column | Content |
|---|---|
| Value | Impedance at 100 MHz with OHM: 60OHM, 1KOHM. State the frequency if the datasheet uses another. |
| Current | Rated RMS current: 1A, 2A. |
| DCR | DC resistance: 0.1, 2.1m. Ohms are implied. |
| Tr | Operating temperature range: -40:85. |
Example row
A Vishay CRCW 0603 resistor, 4.7 kΩ, 5%, as it appears in the generated workbook:
| Column | Value |
|---|---|
| Comment | CRCW06034K70JNEA |
| Description | RESISTOR THICK FILM 4.7K OHM 5% 0603 |
| MFG | VISHAY |
| MPN | CRCW06034K70JNEA |
| Package | 0603 |
| Library Path | house.SchLib |
| Library Ref | RES |
| Footprint Path / Ref | house.PcbLib / RESC1608X50_CRCWN |
| Footprint Path 2 / Ref 2 | house.PcbLib / RESC1608X50_CRCWL |
| Footprint Path 3 / Ref 3 | house.PcbLib / RESC1608X50_CRCWM |
| Qual | AEC-Q200 |
| Value | 4.7k |
| Tolerance | 5% |
| Voltage | 75V |
| Tcr | +/-200 |
| Tr | -55:155 |