Introduction: 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
- 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
- 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 ….
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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/
23 Comments
6 years ago
Nice collection, would love to be part of it - my breadboard on steroids!
https://www.instructables.com/id/OMPBB-One-More-Project-Breadboard/
Reply 6 years ago
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.
6 years ago
PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!
PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!
PERFECT COLLECTION MAN!!!
7 years ago on Step 3
Nice collection!
Here's mine:
https://www.instructables.com/id/Sleek-ESP8266-Brea...
8 years ago on Introduction
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.
8 years ago on Introduction
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.
8 years ago on Introduction
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!
9 years ago
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.
9 years ago
Nice, thanks for this. (:
9 years ago on Introduction
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.
9 years ago on Introduction
Congratulations on one of the best meta-instructable ever.
9 years ago on Introduction
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.
9 years ago on Introduction
I really like this and always wondered how breadboards got their name. Thanks
9 years ago on Introduction
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...
9 years ago on Introduction
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!
9 years ago on Introduction
You have a bad link on the third entry...The Beauty of Breadboards.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Fixed, let me know if you find other problems
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Afraid I have to agree that the page is not available :(
9 years ago on Introduction
Very nicely put together. Thanks.
9 years ago on Introduction
great