Using Breadboard to Make Circuits

Find out how a breadboard is used to design prototype electronic circuits

Breadboard used to prototype electronic circuits

A Breadboard is very useful for trying out new electronic circuits (1) and for experimentation. Electronic components and intergrated circuit (IC) chips can be plugged into the small holes and connected into temporary circuits. There is no need to solder anything, and the components can be moved around and the circuit modified thousands of times without damaging parts.

There are many basic circuits which are very useful even in simple renewable energy systems - for example Using an LM317T to provide a fixed current for LED bulbs (2). While testing such circuits a breadboard should be used while you ensure that everything works as it should before you go ahead and start (permanently) soldering anything.

How Does a Breadboard Work

Solderless breadboard - elecrical connections shown

Hidden inside a breadboard are many connections. Looking at the photograph above, the top row is linked horizontally (for the positive of the power supply) and the bottom row is also linked horizontally (for the negative of the power supply). The remaining holes on the breadboard are connected vertically in columns of five holes with no link across the gap across the horizontal centre of the breadboard.

Using a solderless breadboard to prototype an LED circuit

When connecting components which do not have leads of their own, you must solder suitable leads on yourself. Ideally use a single core rather than multi-stranded wire, but if you only have multi-stranded wire then a small amount of solder will keep the strands together. Standard 0.6mm (18 or 20 gauge) diameter single-core insulated wire is ideal.

In order to electrically connect components together, jumper links are used (as pictured above). While it is possible to make your own links from wire, it is best to use commercial jumper link since they are relatively cheap, flexible, sturdy, and available in a range of different lengths and colours - particularly useful when putting together complicated circuits.

Buying Breadboards and Accessories

We have top quality great value 400-tie Protobloc prototyping breadboards (3) for sale in the REUK Shop (4) together with mixed bundles of 60 multi-coloured Protobloc jumper links (5) of 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, and 250mm length - perfect to get you started on your first circuits.

Breadboard for Circuit Testing and Experimentation

A wide range of breadboards and jumper links are also available from eBay UK (6) (typically despatched directly from China). Click here to see the latest listings for Breadboard and Jumper Links (7).

Web Link References

(1) http://www.reuk.co.uk/electronics.htm
(2) http://www.reuk.co.uk/Using-The-LM317T-With-LED-Lighting.htm
(3) http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-BREADBOARD.htm
(4) http://www.reuk.co.uk/REUK-Products-For-Sale.htm
(5) http://www.reuk.co.uk/buy-BREADBOARD-JUMPER-LINKS.htm
(6) http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?type=1&campid=5335956244&toolid=10001&customid=
(7) http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-53481-19255-0/1?type=3&campid=5335956244&toolid=10001&customid=&ext=breadboard&satitle=breadboard

Article from REUK.co.uk:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Using-Breadboard-to-Make-Circuits.htm
Published: 11th April 2009
© REUK 2009