Know your breadboard

After analysing and realising the importance of electronics breadboard the need arises to know it fully well to enhance the knowledge and skill in the assembling technique.

components connections

We need to connect the electronics components terminals as per the circuit schematic to make the circuit to function properly. Connections are usually made using electrical connectors namely 'wires'. At the same time we must hold the components in upright position as they should not fall down or hang out precariously resulting damages to the components. For this a solid base is required where components can be mounted snugly and hold strongly.The modern breadboard fulfills all these basic requirements for assembling of electronics circuit designs comprehensively.

A view of breadboard with connector holes on the surface

Breadboard setup:

A breadboard, made of plastic is a simple set up of electrical connectors in groups arranged in rows and columns. Fantastic layout arrangement of connectors inside the breadboard. Actually the arrangement is housed in a simple plastic box for ease of handling and work besides act as insulators for terminals for which no electrical connectivity is required. Thus the board is versatile set up for hooking up of components.

Breadboard layout:

The connectors are made up of metallic strips connected with spring type clips oriented vertically and are placed exactly underneath each holes. A large number of connector holes are seen on top surface of the board allows wires and component terminals to plug in vertically. 

Metallic clips

metallic strips

The clips holds the terminals snugly and make electrical contact to the terminals. The appropriate terminals of the wires and components are vertically plugged in the appropriate holes as per the schematic diagram to establish electrical connectivity to complete the circuit assembly. Essentially the plugging in of components terminals should be accurate observing all parameters of the circuit schematic. That is matching of circuit design and transfer of design to the board are vital for proper function of the circuit.

connector holes on the strip

These illustrations give an overall idea how a breadboard set up looks like. We advance our study on the minute details of the board in the coming posts.