Jumping GND with LM2931A (soic-8)

[Harp]

Good day!
I need some expertise regarding connecting regulator LM2931A (SOIC-8 package).
How is the first time I meet with him, I'm interested in the possibility of connecting the GND pins (there are two on each side of the chip, a total of four), so the question:
- is it sufficient to connect one side GND and the other to stay in the air?
-whether the GND can be used as a bridge to cross of some lines; like wire jumpers, and Does it affects the work of regulators and which is the maximum current could serve on the other side?
I read the datasheet but I could not find an answer for sure.
Thank you!

[Qiaozhi]

Good day!
I need some expertise regarding connecting regulator LM2931A (SOIC-8 package).
How is the first time I meet with him, I'm interested in the possibility of connecting the GND pins (there are two on each side of the chip, a total of four), so the question:
- is it sufficient to connect one side GND and the other to stay in the air?
-whether the GND can be used as a bridge to cross of some lines; like wire jumpers, and Does it affects the work of regulators and which is the maximum current could serve on the other side?
I read the datasheet but I could not find an answer for sure.
Thank you!

I expect the GND connections are all connected together in the device. You can easily confirm this by doing a continuity test between the GND pins.
However, it is good practice to connect all GND pins together externally, and not rely on the internal connection.

[chemelec]

Usually it is best to Design a PCB and have the Ground Plane join all the grounds together.
This also helps to Heatsink the Device.

[Qiaozhi]

Usually it is best to Design a PCB and have the Ground Plane join all the grounds together.
This also helps to Heatsink the Device.

On the original Pulse Technology MiniPulse board, there are two MC14538BCP ICs. These have 3 VSS pins (1, 15 and 8 ); but on both ICs pin 8 was left floating, and the VSS connection was relying on the internal connection in the chip. This is not good practice. Therefore, on the MPP version I connected all 3 together externally. Unfortunately I could not do this via the ground plane because the MC14538BCPs are connected with VDD going to 0V, and VSS going to -5V. Otherwise, I agree, wherever possible you should connect them to a ground plane.