PCB Layout Basic Questions for audio connectors

Question

With this being my first PCB, I wanted to know if it was standard practice to make the entire top signal layer into a ground plane solely for the two ground pads that I have for the audio connectors which pour into the plane?

I read that if there are a lot of traces, the ground plane can affect signal integrity, but in this case, I have very few traces.

Additionally, at the node where the traces split on the left 20 pin header, I have 5V splitting in parallel to supply 5V each for both audio jacks. Is this the correct way to maintain the parallel circuit?

I ask this because even though I had the parallel layout on the schematic. Altium's active routing created a trace from the pin to the first audio jack pad, then another trace from the first audio jack pad to the second audio jack pad. Is this not connected in series?

Answer 1

With this being my first PCB, I wanted to know if it was standard practice to make the entire top signal layer into a ground plane solely for the two ground pads that I have for the audio connectors which pour into the plane?

While it may seem excessive, it doesn't add any additional cost to make, but it does have a function to create one continuous plane. A continuous plane is better than just single traces because it adds a small amount of capacitance and shielding for high frequency signals. Another thing that a continuous plane does is reduce resistance.

I also noticed that you only have one grounding point on the headers, introducing more could reduce common mode voltage noise through the resistance of the connector.

Is this the correct way to maintain the parallel circuit?

If both connectors are plugged in the conductors will make a loop, you may want to reduce the size of the loop because loop antennas can create problems (but it depends on the magnetic environment).