Breadboard
Solderless prototyping board — push components in, rearrange freely, no soldering.
How it works
A breadboard lets you build circuits by pushing component legs and jumper wires into its holes. Inside, clips connect groups of holes together so parts plugged into the same group are electrically joined.
The two long rails down each side (marked + and −) run the full length and are used for power and ground — these are the power buses. The main area in the middle is split into short terminal strips.
Each terminal strip is a row of 5 holes connected together horizontally (columns a–e, and separately f–j). The channel down the center breaks the connection between the two halves so a chip can straddle it with each pin on its own strip.
Ratings
- Power rails
- Two + and two − buses running the full length
- Terminal strips
- 5 connected holes per half-row (a–e, f–j)
- Center gap
- Separates the halves — straddle ICs across it
Tips
- Run 5V/3.3V to a + rail and GND to a − rail, then tap power from there.
- Place ICs across the center channel so opposite pins land on different strips.
- Half-size (400-point) is great for small builds; full-size (830-point) for bigger ones.