A Ground Plane Is More Than Just Copper

A ground plane does more than fill empty areas on a PCB. It provides the return path for signals, influences EMI performance, and helps maintain a stable electrical reference across the board.

As routing evolves, the ground plane can become interrupted by traces, cutouts, or mechanical constraints. Some of these changes are intentional, while others may affect how return currents flow through the PCB.

Reviewing the continuity of the ground plane is just as important as reviewing the signal routing before releasing the design for manufacturing.