Breadboards – the complete guide

Over the years I’ve compiled as much information as I could on the subject and hopefully, my breadboards – the complete guide is exactly that.

Each section goes to a link where more detail is provided. otherwise, it would have made this post too large. In this guide, I’ll attempt to cover everything you need to know about breadboards.

Introduction – Breadboards – the complete guide

Breadboards have been around for as long as electronics. Like most useful things they came about out of necessity. When people were experimenting with electronics they needed a way of trying out ideas by connecting components together in a non-final way.

The first breadboards were pretty much, as the name suggests, bases of wood on which circuits were built to test them out.

Luckily for us, breadboards have evolved into something that is much more suitably for the modern hobby enthusiast. It is instantly recognisable and almost a standard. I say almost because there are a few variations but the idea remains the same.

While I use the word hobby it’s worth noting that many “professionals” use breadboards to test out ideas and circuits.

What is a breadboard?

I’ve skipped past the original wooden ones and for this article, I’m talking about the plastic ones known as the MB 102 or BB830. The 830 refers to the number of connections.

This is the full-size breadboard. You can also get half-size ones.

These boards can be plugged together to enable you to build larger circuits on them. I’ve built circuits in which I’ve plugged six together. This was my synthesizer project. You can read about that in the breadboard projects section near the bottom of this page if that is something that interests you.

It’s something that you can build temporary circuits on by plugging components into them. No soldering is needed so it’s quick and you can change it easily. You can also reuse components and wires.

Incidentally, don’t be put off by soldering. It’s a very cheap and easy way to build electronic projects. It’s also easy to learn and you’ll be glad you did.

Types of breadboards

By breadboard, most people mean solderless breadboards. You can get breadboards that you solder. These are the ones that have similar layouts to a solderless breadboard. You use them to make a solderless breadboard project permanent.

For more information, I have a more detailed post to read here about the Types of breadboards

Breadboards the complete guide – How do breadboards work?

Breadboards are quite simple devices. They are made to enable components to be plugged into them to build electronic circuits.

If you are an electronics beginner, they enable you to build a circuit without having to solder. You can also build them fairly quickly.

If you are more experienced in electronics they enable you to test out ideas and circuits quickly. They are a way to prototype circuits cutting out the time and expense of prototype circuit boards. For a more detailed explanation check out my post How do breadboards work?

How are breadboards connected?

Breadboards usually have columns and rows of common connections. I say usually because you can get small breadboards with no columns. If you need a small layout they are ideal however for larger circuits the “standard” breadboards with columns are better as they give you an easy way to connect to power in a circuit.

Don’t plug components into a breadboard if they have dirty leads as this will rub off onto the internal metal connecting strips. This isn’t what you want at all as now you may get an intermittent connection because of the dirt on the connection.

While breadboards are ideal for small circuits they can be connected together to make larger breadboards for larger circuitsFor more detail check out my post, How are breadboards connected?

How to build a circuit on a breadboard

There are various ways that you can build a circuit on a breadboard. The same circuit can be laid out in different ways. Some people have their own techniques and systems for doing it

Check out my article, How to build a circuit on a breadboard

Breadboard design software

When it comes to designing a layout for a breadboard you have a couple of options. You can use a pencil, paper and rubber, believe me, you will need a rubber, or you can use the software.

The biggest advantage of using breadboard design software is that you can move components around when you change your mind. You can also easily save and print your designs out. It’s a lot easier than trying to find that scrap of paper that you drew.

Unfortunately, breadboard design software isn’t as good as PCB design software. There are however a couple of useful packages that I use.

Check out my post here, Breadboard design software to find out what they are.

Breadboards – the complete guide – Transferring a circuit diagram to a breadboard

If you already have a completed circuit that you want to build on breadboard there are certain steps that you can take to minimise any errors that may creep in. The best way to do this is to print out a circuit diagram that you can draw on. Once you have the drawing you can start plugging components into the breadboard to build the circuit. I usually start with the ICs and transistors. Then when you add a component, use a highlighter pen and mark it on the circuit diagram.

This way you won’t miss any components and connections.

The process of transferring a circuit diagram to a breadboard is such a large topic that it could be an entire post of its own. It’s probably no surprise to find that it is. I’ve been able to go into more detail and show a real example to help you master this task. It’s in my post Transferring a circuit diagram to a breadboard.

Solderless breadboard to PCB

Once you’ve got your circuit working on a breadboard you may at some time want a permanent soldered version of it. You may have used the breadboard to try out something different or you may have wanted to check if a particular circuit would work before you soldered it.

Either way, everyone who has ever used a breadboard will want to transfer a breadboard circuit to a soldered permanent version. If nothing more than to free up the breadboard to use again.

There are several ways that you can do this depending on your circumstances. The easiest and most straightforward is to get one of those boards that has the same copper track layout and is the same size as the breadboard and take out the component from the breadboard and solder it in the same place.

You could also rebuild your circuit onto a stripboard. Stripboard is a good cheap and quick way to build a circuit. Finally, you could design a printed circuit board for your circuit. This is the most costly in time and money but it also has advantages.

If you want to build multiple versions of the circuit it’s quicker to build four PCBs than it is to build 4 versions on any other medium. There is also the advantage that a PCB is probably the most reliable method in terms of longevity and you will almost certainly be able to make the PCB design a lot smaller than a stripboard layout.

I have a post, Solderless breadboard to PCB which you should definitely read if you need to do this as it contains a lot more detailed instructions and some useful tips to help with making the process easier.

Breadboard power supply

One thing is for sure. If you build a circuit on a breadboard you are going to need some form of power supply to get the circuit to work.

This can be as simple as a battery if that’s what the circuit needs. You may need to use a dual-rail power supply. Especially if you are powering op-amps.

There are various options available to you. You can get specific power supplies made especially for solderless breadboards. You could use a bench power supply or even build something yourself.

Check my post Breadboard power supply for some extra information and instructions.

Breadboards the complete guide – breadboard tips

I’ve been using breadboards for years. There aren’t really any instructions for using it you just sort of get on with it. Over the time I’ve used breadboards, I’ve found various ways to either save time, cut out mistakes or save money.

One tip is to make a pre-from tool. This simple device means you can easily bend a component or connection to exactly the correct size and trim the lead to the correct length.

This really speeds up breadboard circuit construction and it makes it easier to reuse the components. For my post for a complete list of time and money-saving breadboard tips click here.

Breadboard vs stripboard

What’s the best breadboard or stripboard, only one way to find out! FIGHT! Well, no, it’s not the Harry Hill show. Each method of circuit construction has its advantages and disadvantages.

It’s quicker to build a circuit on a breadboard but if you build it on a stripboard you can leave it as it is, finished if you want it to be. Just use another stripboard for your next circuit.

If you can’t make up your mind about what you need for a particular application check out my guide Breadboard vs stripboard, to help you decide what’s best for you or a particular circuit.

Wires for breadboards

Did you know that some wires are better to use on breadboards than others? Some you should definitely avoid. Do you use bare tinned copper wire or coloured insulated copper wire?

How thick should it be to first make good contact and secondly to avoid damaging the metal strips? Are the pre-made leads that you can buy worth buying?

All of these questions are answered and more in my post Wires for Breadboards.

Breadboards the complete guide – Common breadboard mistakes

There’s nothing worse than building a circuit on a breadboard, only to find it won’t work. Well, there is but you get the idea.

As I may have mentioned a few times I’ve been using breadboards for quite a few years. In all these years I’ve noticed that the same old problems keep reoccurring.

For instance, did you know that the most common reason for a breadboard circuit not to work is a component or wire in the wrong hole? It’s so easy to just miscount and put it in the hole one next to where it should go.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what can go wrong with a lead or component in the hole next to where it should be especially if power is involved which can lead to another problem of smoke.

Another common problem is ICs and transistors the wrong way around.

If you have unfortunately built a circuit and it doesn’t work check out my post, Common breadboard mistakes. Work your way through the list and hopefully, you’ll find your problem before you get to the end.

Where to buy breadboards

So after reading all of this, you’ve decided you need a breadboard of two so it’s time to buy. You jump in your car and drive to Maplin but it’s not there anymore.

Yes, unfortunately, the brick-and-mortar shops that we electronics hobbyists used to use like Maplin and Tandy have gone.

Fortunately, there is now the worldwide web but where exactly do we go? Make sure you don’t buy rubbish, get scammed or pay more than you have to by reading my post Where to buy breadboards.

3pcs MB 102 Breadboard from Amazon

Best breadboard kit buyer guide

If you want to get into building breadboards and you haven’t got a board or components you may be better off buying a complete starter kit. It could save you money not to mention the hassle of ordering parts separately only to find you’ve forgotten something.

I’ve written a guide that covers the quality of the board and the quality of the components. It also covers kits for beginners and kits for Arduino and where to buy them from amongst other things. You can read my post Best breadboard kit buyers guide here.

Breadboard Projects

Finally, you may want to build some projects. This section is something that I’ll be adding to in the future.If you have not built a breadboard project before I advise you to start at the bottom with the first post.

Simple electronic breadboard projects

This will introduce you to the world of breadboard projects by building something with just a few components to start with.

breadboard blinking led project

Simple electronic breadboard projects

Breadboards the complete guide – Breadboard synthesizer

This is the largest project to date that I’ve built on a breadboard. It may look daunting to look at but it’s just a case of building each breadboard project, getting it working and linking them all together.

This post contains full instructions and diagrams to build the complete synthesizer. Check out my post Breadboard synthesizer here.

Breadboard dual variable power supply

This not surprisingly is the board that powers it all. the circuit is useful in its own right as a simple dual-rail variable power supply. This post contains full instructions and diagrams. Breadboard dual variable power supply

Breadboard MIDI to CV project

Connect up a MIDI controller keyboard and this project will convert the MIDI signals to a control voltage and gate that the analogue circuits need. It’s also the smallest MIDI to CV converter I’ve ever seen so it could easily be built into something else to add MIDI to an older keyboard for example. Breadboard MIDI to CV project

Breadboard voltage-controlled oscillator

This is the thing that is the heart of an analogue synthesizer. You only need one but two will give you more sound possibilities. Check out my post here, again with full instructions and diagrams. Breadboard voltage controller oscillator.

Breadboard voltage-controlled filter

The output from your one or two oscillators goes into the filter. This gives you the traditional analogue synthesizer sounds. This particular filter is based on the same one that is inside the Sequential Circuits Pro 1 synthesizer. Click here Breadboard voltage-controlled filter for full instructions and diagrams.

Breadboard envelope generator

This is another circuit that I’ve built two of to make the finished synthesizer more flexible. One controls the filter and the other the voltage-controlled amplifier below. the full instructions are here Breadboard envelope generator.

Breadboard voltage-controlled amplifier

This is the final component of the breadboard synthesizer. For construction, details click here Breadboard voltage-controlled amplifier.

Breadboards – the complete guide summary

I’ve tried to include everything in this post. It’s written in a general form or else it would be too big. Each section has a link to another, more detailed article.

So if that’s an area you want to know more about you can easily navigate to it without having loads of stuff you don’t want to read to scroll through.

There’s lots of stuff included that I’ve learned over the years and I hope that you find my, breadboards the complete guide, useful in your breadboard circuit construction.