Breadboard

Uses of Breadboard

A breadboard is used to make up temporary circuits for testing or to try out an idea. No soldering is required so it is easy to change connections and replace components. Parts will not be damaged so they will be available to re-use afterwards.

Almost all the Electronics Club projects started life on a breadboard to check that the circuit worked as intended.

The photograph shows a typical small breadboard which is suitable for beginners building simple circuits with one or two ICs (chips). Larger sizes are available and you may wish to buy one of these to start with.

Connections on Breadboard

Breadboards have many tiny sockets (called 'holes') arranged on a 0.1" grid. The leads of most components can be pushed straight into the holes. ICs are inserted across the central gap with their notch or dot to the left.

Wire links can be made with single-core plastic-coated wire of 0.6mm diameter (the standard size). Stranded wire is not suitable because it will crumple when pushed into a hole and it may damage the board if strands break off.

The diagram shows how the breadboard holes are connected: 

The top and bottom rows are linked horizontally all the way across as shown by the red and black lines on the diagram. The power supply is connected to these rows, + at the top and 0V (zero volts) at the bottom.

I suggest using the upper row of the bottom pair for 0V, then you can use the lower row for the negative supply with circuits requiring a dual supply (e.g. +9V, 0V, -9V).

The other holes are linked vertically in blocks of 5 with no link across the centre as shown by the blue lines on the diagram. Notice how there are separate blocks of connections to each pin of ICs.

Large Breaboards
On larger breadboards there may be a break halfway along the top and bottom power supply rows. It is a good idea to link across the gap before you start to build a circuit, otherwise you may forget and part of your circuit will have no power!

View Our range Of Breadboards

	Product Name+	Model	Manufacturer
	AD-102 Breadboard 81x60x9mm (390 contact points)	AD-102	KANDH
	Jump Wire Kit KS350	KS350	KANDH
	Jumper Wire Kit 140 Piece	SWS-02	E.I.C
	Jumper Wire Kit 350 Piece	SWS-04	E.I.C
	Machine Pin Jumper Wire Set 100mm 10 Pack	JW-100	E.I.C
	Machine Pin Jumper Wire Set 50mm 10 Pack	JW-50	E.I.C
	SD12N High Q Breadboard - 840 Holes	SD-12	KANDH
	SD24N High Q Breadboard - 1680 Holes	SD-24	KANDH
	SD35 High Q Breadboard - 2420 Holes	SD-35	KANDH
	Solderless Breadboard 630 Tie Point Clear	SD-12T	E.I.C