Comprehensive Guide to Electronic Breadboards: a Meta Instructable

Breadboards sometimes know as prototyping boards or proto boards are a quick way of working up and experimenting with electronic circuits. Originally breadboard circuits were circuits built on real wooden breadboards. Some commercial products like Atwater Kent radios were built this way. More recently the term refers to plastic boards loaded with connection points that accept wires and components and include some pre-wired connections. Many instructable articles have been written about breadboards and prototyping with them.  This is a pretty comprehensive guide to them ( but not in the guide format, comment? )

Not included projects that just happen to use a breadboard. ( Also I generally do not watch videos, so I have excluded them here. ) If you are an author of a breadboard instructable that you think I should have included, please let me know.

A note on the images in each step, each comes from the first instructable mentioned the step.

Step 1: The Basics

The basics show a bit on how breadboards work and how to set up your circuits.  Good place to start if you have not used them before.

• Breadboards for Beginners by Brennn10 66,357 views 78 favorites Posted: Jun 9, 2007  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboards-for-Beginners/

• Breadboard Basics for Absolute Beginners by Cew27 164,374 views 294 favorites Posted: Feb 16, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboard-Basics-for-Absolute-Begginers/

• Building Circuits: The Beauty of Breadboards by aplauche 35,672 views 54 favorites Posted: Jun 19, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/Building-Circuits-The-Beauty-of-Breadboards/

• How to use a breadboard by shams  Feb 10, 2012 94,908 views 88 favorites Posted: Feb 10, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-use-a-breadboard/

• Breadboard How To by amandaghassaei 80,107 views  196 favorites  Posted:  Apr 8, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboard-How-To/

• How a Breadboard Works by DrNicker 5,548 views  13 favorites Posted: Jul 25, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/How-a-Breadboard-Works/

• Breadboarding Fun by pfred2  183 views  3 favorites  Posted:  Nov 28, 2013 https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboarding-Fun/

Step 2: Powering

Most interesting circuits need some power.  How to do it?  Check out some various methods.

• The Radioshack, Adjustable, Breadboard Power Supply. by kersny  64,679 views  171 favorites  Posted:  Jun 28, 2007 https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Radioshack%2c-Adjustable%2c-Breadboard-Power-Suppl/

• 5V breadboard mini PSU by chr  52,439 views  165 favorites  Posted:  Sep 20, 2007  https://www.instructables.com/id/5V-breadboard-mini-PSU/

• Make A Breadboard Power Supply by Nerdz  27,720 views  50 favorites  Posted:  Nov 6, 2008  https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-A-Breadboard-Power-Supply/

• Power your breadboard with USB by janw  12,626 views  46 favorites  Posted:  Apr 8, 2010  https://www.instructables.com/id/Power-your-breadboard-with-USB/

• Universal Power Supply For Arduino + Breadboard by Collin Amedee  8,471 views  29 favorites  Posted:  Mar 18, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Universal-Power-Supply-For-Arduino-Breadboard/

• Duel portable breadboard PSU by DoctorWoo  886 views  3 favorites  Posted:  Aug 6, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Duel-portable-breadboard-PSU/

Step 3: Components and Connectors

Some components need a little help in being plugged in.  Ideas abound.  This section excludes micro controllers like the arduino, the next section covers them.  In several of the instructables below the component is connected to a header which plugs into the breadboard better than the leads or connectors on the device.

• Make SMD to DIP adapters by Nerdz  11,109 views  11 favorites  Posted:  May 28, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-SMD-to-DIP-adapters/

• Advanced Soldering: Fast and Easy Soldering of Surface Mount Components by mikey77   36,910 views  121 favorites Posted:  Jul 29, 2010  https://www.instructables.com/id/Advanced-Soldering-Fast-and-Easy-Soldering-of-Sur/

• Picaxe Projects #1: Making Fast Printed Circuit Modules by mikey77  20,182 views  42 favorites  Posted:  Aug 12, 2010  https://www.instructables.com/id/Picaxe-Projects-1-Making-Fast-Printed-Circuit-Mo/

• Parallel cable breadboard breakout by PaulMakesThings  4,202 views  5 favorites  Posted:  Oct 23, 2010  https://www.instructables.com/id/Make-a-parallel-cable-breadboard-breakout/

• DIY SOIC to DIP Chip Adaptors by mattthegamer463  8,876 views  14 favorites  Posted:  Jan 2, 2011  https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-SOIC-to-DIP-Chip-Adaptors/

• Making soic breakout boards on the cheap. by malonph  2,831 views  6 favorites Posted:  Mar 27, 2011  https://www.instructables.com/id/Making-soic-breakout-boards-on-the-cheap/

• Using SMT chips on TTH breadboard by vitya  2,647 views  2 favorites  Posted:  Jan 7, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Using-SMT-chips-on-TTH-breadboard/

• Easy to Make LED w/resistor for Solderless Breadboards by ProvideYourOwn  4,554 views  26 favorites  Posted:  Jul 6, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-to-Make-LED-wresistor-for-Solderless-Breadbo/

• Using SMD Components on Breadboards by frank26080115  1,451 views  5 favorites  Posted:  Jul 11, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Using-SMD-Components-on-Breadboards/

• More Pluggable Breadboard Components by ProvideYourOwn  1,665 views  12 favorites  Posted:  Jul 25, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/More-Pluggable-Breadboard-Components/

• Breadboard LED indicator by madworm  414 views  4 favorites  Posted:  Oct 30, 2013  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboard-LED-indicator/

• Convert SMD Chips to DIP (Breadboard Friendly) by ASCAS  616 views  22 favorites  Posted:  Dec 26, 2013  https://www.instructables.com/id/Convert-SMD-Chips-to-DIP-Breadboard-Friendly/

Step 4: Plugs, Wires and ….

So you stick your components into the breadboard but then you need some way to connect them together or to something external. Some wires work better than others. Many wires need a little help in making good connections. Instructable members have thought about this as well:

• Makeshift Breadboard Multimeter Probe by the_don125  5,511 views  14 favorites  Posted:  Mar 30, 2008  https://www.instructables.com/id/Makeshift-Breadboard-Multimeter-Probe/

• Stackable Jump leads for BreadBoards by dsauer 5,380 views 13 favorites Posted: Apr 9, 2009 https://www.instructables.com/id/Stackable-Jump-leads-for-BreadBoards/

• Breadboard / Banana Jack Cable by lucas_m 4,282 views 6 favorites Posted: Oct 14, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadboard-Banana-Jack-Cable/

• Colour coded breadboard jump leads by jabbawokie 1,359 views 8 favorites Posted: May 17, 2011  https://www.instructables.com/id/colour-coded-breadboard-jump-leads/

• DIY: Prototyping cables by akinich 3,572 views 13 favorites Posted: Feb 7, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Prototyping-cables/

• Preparing Stranded Wire for Breadboards by amandaghassaei 1,432 views 3 favorites Posted: Jun 25, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Preparing-Stranded-Wire-for-Breadboards/

• Custom Breadboard Test Leads by mpilchfamily 1,322 views 4 favorites Posted: Jun 26, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Custom-Breadboard-Test-Leads/

• Protobloc prototyping wires by Jamie bagn 822 views 2 favorites Posted: Aug 20, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Protobloc-prototyping-wires/

Step 5: With Microcontrollers

Add a microcontoller like the Arduino.  Now you have a lot of pins to deal with.  Here are some approaches.

• UDuino: Very Low Cost Arduino Compatible Development Board by tymm  90,631 views  174 favorites  Posted:  Jan 17, 2008  https://www.instructables.com/id/uDuino-Very-Low-Cost-Arduino-Compatible-Developme/

• Arduino Bracket by jmaloway  4,184 views  16 favorites  Posted:  Dec 10, 2010  https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Bracket/

• ARDUINO/SEEEDUINO Breadboard station for less then $10 by jomac_uk  2,372 views  9 favorites  Posted:  Jan 12, 2011  https://www.instructables.com/id/ARDUINOSEEEDUINO-Breadboard-station-for-less-then/

• Arduino Projects on a breadboard (no serial com)  13,572 views  29 favorites  Posted:  Apr 11, 2011  https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Projects-on-a-breadboard-no-serial-com

• Arduino - Breadboard hookup by Mtaram  815 views  7 favorites  Posted:  Feb 7, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Breadboard-hookup/

• Home Made Arduino Prototype Shield by waihung  10,860 views  35 favorites  Posted:  Mar 12, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Home-Made-Arduino-Prototype-Shield/

• Breadboard Adapter for the Raspberry Pi by TonyDx  16,572 views  66 favorites  Posted:  Jul 6, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Breadbaord-adpater-for-the-Raspberry-Pi/

• AVR ISP Breadboard Header by Kurt E. Clothier  2,194 views  4 favorites  Posted:  Aug 5, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/AVR-ISP-Breadboard-Header/

• Arduino Breadboard Mount by kwoeltje  794 views  3 favorites  Posted:  Nov 24, 2012  https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Breadboard-Mount/

Step 6: Labels

Putting labels on the breadboard can help you do your wiring.  Here are some ideas:

• How to Breadboard Arduino Compatible. by oomlout  18,901 views  69 favorites  Posted:  Jul 31, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Breadboard-Arduino-Compatible/

• Bare Bones Breadboard Arduino Labels by dnhoshor  16,560 views  50 favorites  Posted:  Apr 7, 2009  https://www.instructables.com/id/Bare-Bones-Breadboard-Arduino-Labels/

Step 7: Advanced and Tips

When you get good at the basics here are some more advanced tips that do not fit into my other categories.

• Breadboard tips by Jimmy Proton 5,614 views 15 favorites Posted: Aug 10, 2010 https://www.instructables.com/id/breadboard-tips/

• Breadboard TIPS by alienagasta 1,237 views 3 favorites Posted: Jul 12, 2012 https://www.instructables.com/id/breadboard-TIPS-1/

• Techniques for Beefing Up Your Breadboard by DrRhodes 2,250 views 29 favorites Posted: Jun 22, 2013 https://www.instructables.com/id/Techniques-for-Beefing-Up-Your-Breadboard/

Step 8: Breadboard Setups

Here are some completed breadboard setups by members:

• EE Tray by mmt 5,815 views 17 favorites Posted: May 17, 2006 https://www.instructables.com/id/EE-Tray/

• My breadboard by scratchr 3,204 views 3 favorites Posted: Mar 21, 2010 https://www.instructables.com/id/My-breadboard/

• Portable Arduino Project Valise by CementTruck 1,768 views 10 favorites Posted: Dec 19, 2010 https://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-Arduino-Project-Valise/

• Easy prototype breadboard unit with DUAL PSU's and less then $10 2,712 views 11 favorites Posted: Jan 2, 2011 https://www.instructables.com/id/Easy-prototype-breadboard-unit-with-DUAL-PSUs-and/

• Arduino & Electronics Prototyping Station by omnibot 5,750 views 29 favorites Posted: Aug 13, 2013 https://www.instructables.com/id/Arduino-Electronics-Prototyping-Station/

Step 9: Other Ideas

I was not sure how to organize these, so they became other!

• Fix your Proto-Board by tekbreak 3,968 views 3 favorites Posted: Oct 18, 2006 https://www.instructables.com/id/Fix-your-Proto-Board/

• Zero to Breadboard Simulation by circuitsio 54,733 views 444 favorites Posted: Sep 9, 2013 https://www.instructables.com/id/Zero-to-Breadboard-Simulation/

Step 10: Historic Breadboards, Offsite Not Instructable Links

Breadboard circuits have produced some beautiful things. Atwater Kent radios are famous. Some hobbyist still work to produce work in this style. These are links outside of instructables to historic and recreated breadboards.

• The Sparksmusuem has some great photos and information on Atwaker Kent radios. Here is one page from their site: http://www.sparkmuseum.com/BREADBD.HTM The picture here is from their site.

• Got around 1000 bucks you might buy one of these nice guys: http://www.stonevintageradio.com/description.php?II=831&UID=20131215191241 or http://www.stonevintageradio.com/description.php?II=868&UID=20131215191248

• Google Images mixes modern and historic images of breadboard circuits. Ptetty easy to tell apart : https://www.google.com/search?q=breadboard+radio&num=50&client=opera&hs=wz4&channel=suggest&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=V2euUtPeKOfqyQG7lYC4BQ&ved=0CDsQsAQ

• An old style but new breadboard radio: http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/bb/bb.html

• And another new old stlyle one: http://makearadio.com/tube/30bb.php

• Want to make your own old style? Try this: http://members.shaw.ca/ve7sl/tnt.html

Step 11: Recreating Historic Breadboards

Traditional breadboard circuits are built on a breadboard, or a least a board. People are still doing these. These often have a steampunk flavor. Here are more instructable links.

• How to make vacuum tube breadboarding sockets. by Re-design 8,739 views 23 favorites Posted: Oct 3, 2012 https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-vacuum-tube-breadboarding-sockets/

• Glowbugs - Homebrew Tube Amateur Radio Transmitters and Receivers by Andy UU1CC 15,077 views 23 favorites Posted: Feb 21, 2010 https://www.instructables.com/id/Glowbugs-Homebrew-Amateur-Radio-Transmitters-and/

• Use a real Bread-Board for prototyping your circuit by mischka 5,201 views 6 favorites Posted: May 8, 2011 https://www.instructables.com/id/Use-a-real-Bread-Board-for-prototyping-your-circui/

Comments

[abizar]

Nice collection, would love to be part of it - my breadboard on steroids!

https://www.instructables.com/id/OMPBB-One-More-Project-Breadboard/

[russ_hensel]

Thanks. I am no longer editing this ( a true instructable collection is much easier to maintain ) so the best way to add yours is in fact your comment.

[becker990]

PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!

PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!

PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!

[technochatter]

Nice collection!

Here's mine:

https://www.instructables.com/id/Sleek-ESP8266-Brea...

[bac512]

Just a note, when people not used to breadboards first look at a breadboard with components on it may be quite confused if it's not explained that each hole in a single line of 5 holes is connected to the other 4 holes in that line.

[pfred2]

If anyone here ever wants to try their hands at classic on wood breadboarding there are these little doodads I really like called brass escutcheon pins make great contact points. They're easy to solder to. 1/2 X 16 seems like a good size to use to me. Happy tacking! I suppose these would suffice too

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-18-x-3-4-in-Br...

It is really just the fancy name for a particular kind of a special nail.

[Tbus]

I completed a learn-at-home certificate course in Basic Electronics recently (http://www.ciebookstore.com/basic-electronics-cour...) and this Breadboard Instructable covered a lot of what I learned and was a great review before I take on the next one! Thank you!

[JonnySantiago]

Everything I was looking for. I'm a newbie to this knowledge area and I'm looking to learn and this guide will help me very much. Thanks man. Best instructable I ever seen.

[Psycho4Ever]

Nice, thanks for this. (:

[cwright1]

I'd like to add this link: http://mutable-instruments.net/bbf

These guys designed a collection of small modules/shields that sit on top of breadboards.

[cwright1]

Congratulations on one of the best meta-instructable ever.

[alzie]

Great tips.
1 hint, resist the temptation to use wire larger than #24 gauge.
Larger will permanently spread the contacts and
lead to lousy connections with thinner wire.

[grapenut]

I really like this and always wondered how breadboards got their name. Thanks

[electron_plumber]

My Dad worked with Major Armstrong during the development of FM radio, and Armstrong's standard technique was to use 2x4s. If you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. It was cheap, and when you were done, you could just chop off the excess. My hunch has always been that prototyping with 2x4s was far more common, and actual breadboards were used more when trying to make your circuit look pretty...

[vulgrin]

My son and I started working on an arduino yesterday, and he asked me WHY it was called a breadboard... And today I was able to give him a real answer. Thanks!

[hjnathan]

You have a bad link on the third entry...The Beauty of Breadboards.

[russ_hensel]

Fixed, let me know if you find other problems

[Kevanf1]

Afraid I have to agree that the page is not available :(

[nwlaurie]

Very nicely put together. Thanks.

[billbillt]

great