You can easily set up and test circuits without having to go through the process of soldering and desoldering.

They are great not just for beginners, but experts who are trialling and testing new ideas.

But, can we cut a breadboard?

No, you should not cut a breadboard as it is not ideal. Cutting a breadboard will ruin its structural integrity rendering it useless. Breadboards consist of rows and columns of conducting strips where component leads can be connected. Cutting the breadboard will ruin these strips and disrupt its continuity. 

This article shall dive deeper into why it is not ideal to cut a breadboard.

However, in saying that it is not ideal to cut a breadboard, if you really have to cut one, I shall discuss what is the best way to do so. 

Why it is not advisable to cut a traditional breadboard

To better understand why it is not the best idea to cut a breadboard, let’s take a closer at the breadboard’s internal construction.

 A closer look of the breadboard

The beauty of the breadboard is that you can set up and test a circuit without having to solder anything.

As you can see in the picture above, the breadboard consists of many holes where you can connect components into. 

But, these holes aren’t all connected. There is a certain pattern to how they are connected. 

The breadboard can be further broken up into sections which include;

• Terminal strips 
• Power rails and
• DIP (Dual Inline Package) support

These three parts are highlighted in the image below. 

Breadboard terminal strips

The terminal strips of the breadboard are where you connect and set up all the components of your circuit.

If we were to open up the breadboard and look inside (and view the breadboard sitting horizontally), we would see that the terminal strips have metal strips below them which are aligned vertically across the length of the breadboard. 

Furthermore, each hole in the row has a metal clip that helps hold the terminal of components securely. 

So, a row of holes in the middle of the breadboard are electrically connected. 

However, the terminal strips are separated into two halves by the DIP support. 

Power rails of the breadboard

The next major part of the breadboard is the power rails. 

The power rails of a breadboard are where you connect the supply voltage to (which could be a set of batteries, or a power supply).

Other components can then access these positive and negative rails as needed. 

Again, if we opened up the breadboard and had a look inside (with the breadboard sitting horizontally), we would see a set of metal strips that run horizontally the length of the breadboard from one end to other.

So, why is it not advisable to cut a breadboard?

As you saw, the breadboard is constructed specifically with metal strips and holes so that you connect components and wires easily. 

Cutting a breadboard is going to ruin the structural integrity of the breadboard which might render the breadboard useless. 

The metal strips might come out of place or be damaged in the process of cutting. These metal strips are crucial as they are needed to create a conducting path for current.

Also, the metal clips that are under each hole which are used to hold component leads might get misaligned (or damaged) make it harder for you to place components. 

How to cut a breadboard, if you really have to

But, what if you have to cut your breadboard? 

Is there a special way to do so without causing too much damage and still being able to use the breadboard as it is intended to? 

There are couple considerations to take into account if you are about to cut a breadboard;

• The cutting tool you are using and
• The direction of the cut

The best cutting tool to cut a breadboard

You will need to use a cutting tool that does not create a mess of your breadboard. 

Using a hand saw or jigsaw, might not be the best option for cutting tools as they do no provide the cleanest of cuts.

A better option could be a Dremel, which provides a better finish and might cause less damage to the breadboard when cutting it. 

The best way to cut a breadboard

Next is the direction you cut the breadboard.

As we saw earlier, when looking at the breadboard horizontally, the metal plates of the terminal strips are aligned vertically, while the metal plates of the power rails are aligned horizontally. 

The best way to cut a breadboard, while still maintaining its structural integrity is vertically down the middle (when the breadboard is sitting horizontally) as depicted in the picture below with the red line. 

If you cut a breadboard horizontally (when it is placed horizontally), due to the way the metal plates are orientated, you  are going to eliminate one half of the breadboard  and reduce the surface area of the breadboard giving you less space to set up circuits.

As well having less area to set up circuits, you are going to eliminate the middle gap (DIP support) which is designed as a support for Integrated circuits. 

Checking your breadboard is working. In case you cut it!

So you have cut your breadboard!

How do you check if it is working?

The first thing is to make sure that it is still intact and hasn’t come apart entirely. 

If it has fallen apart, the easiest way to check if a breadboard that has been cut is still working, is to set up a circuit.

It does not have to be a complex circuit, a simple circuit should do just fine (as long as it tests all the sections of the breadboard; terminal strip and power rails.)

Connect your circuit and power it. 

If everything is working as it should, you have cut your breadboard without any problems.

Another way to test if the breadboard is still working is to use a multimeter and its Continuity function (which is a test to check if two points are connected electrically).

Using this function of the multimeter, you could test the ends of each terminal strip and power rail to ensure they are still electrically connected and not damaged.

An alternative to cutting your breadboard?

If the main reason for you cutting your breadboard is to reduce its size, you have another option.

Buying a smaller one!

Breadboards come in a variety of sizes which you should be able to choose accordingly to meet your project/application needs. 

Can you break a breadboard?

No, do not attempt to break a breadboard in half using your hands. 

This is definitely not a good idea.

The post Can we cut a breadboard? appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

This is where the breadboard lends its helping hand! 

You might be on the lookout for a breadboard for prototyping your circuits and wondering how many types of breadboard there are and which is the best option for you.

The breadboard comes in two varieties.

So, what are the two basic types of breadboard? When it comes to breadboards, you have two common types of breadboard ; Solderless and Solder breadboards. Solder breadboards require the use of soldering and solder as the name suggests. Solderless breadboards do not require the use of soldering or solder. Solderless breadboards are commonly used for prototyping and testing circuits. 

A deeper look at the two basic types of breadboard

So, you might be on the lookout for a breadboard or you might already have one and are looking to get another type of breadboard. 

Let’s take a deeper look at the breadboard and the two most basic types available.

A breadboard is a piece of equipment that contains rows and columns of holes, which allows you to create and test your circuits quickly and easily. 

As I have mentioned earlier, there are two basic types of breadboards; Solder and Solderless.

Let’s take a closer look at them individually. 

Breadboard Type #1 : Solderless

The first of the two basic types of breadboards is the solderless breadboard. 

This kind of breadboard is the most common type of breadboard used for prototyping and testing electronic circuits without having to solder components.

They are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and ratings.

The circuits that are built on solderless breadboards are temporary and are mainly used to test the functionality of a circuit before finalising its design onto a Printed Circuit Board (PCB).

Solderless breadboards are composed with rows and columns of holes big enough to accept most wire gauges and component leads. If a component lead does not fit into the hole, a wire can be soldered onto the lead that will fit in the hole. 

Advantages of using a solderless type breadboard

Using a solderless breadboard has many advantages. Below are a few of them.

If you have an idea that you want to test quickly to check its functionality, a solderless breadboard is your best option. You can easily set up your circuit in minutes to validate your idea.

You do not need to do any soldering. You do not need to go through the whole process of soldering which can be time consuming and annoying, if all you need to do is test the functionality of your circuit. 

If your circuit is not working as it should be, you can easily find issues and rectify them. Components do not need to be desoldered. They can be taken out and replaced easily. 

Disadvantages of using solderless type breadboard

Everything that has its advantages, has its disadvantages too. A solderless breadboard isn’t any different. 

Below are some of its disadvantages. 

One of the biggest disadvantages of using a solderless breadboard is that components can come loose when the breadboard is moved or nudged. So, if you are using a solderless breadboard to test out a robot (or any project that involves movement), this could be an issue as things could come loose. 

Using a solderless breadboard comes with high parasitic capacitances. This is due to the capacitances between components due to them being close to each other. 

Also, solderless breadboards are limited to frequencies of 10 mHz and under. 

Breadboard Type #2 : Solder

While solderless breadboards are temporary in nature, solder breadboards provide a more permanent setup for your electronic circuits. 

Solderless breadboards can get quite annoying as things can come loose with slight movement. A solder breadboard provides a more robust setup.

It consists of holes for components (much like a solderless breadboard) but with copper tracing. You will need a soldering iron to solder these components to the solder breadboard which will create an electrical connection with the copper tracing. 

To form a circuit, jumper wires need to be separately soldered between components to create a path to allow current to flow (the connections of the circuit depend on schematic).

Solder breadboards also come in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your needs. 

Advantages of using a solder type breadboard

Solder breadboards come with a couple notable advantages. 

The first advantage of a solder type breadboard is that it is robust. If you need to test your circuit in a scenario where there is a lot of movement, your circuit will be more secure on a solder type breadboard as opposed to a solderless type breadboard. 

Second on the list is aesthetics. If you are presenting a project at your next work meeting, to a client or potential investor, but haven’t yet finalised a Printed Circuit board, a solder type breadboard gives your project a more professional look. 

The next advantage is that it is low cost to create a one-off permanent circuit. If you require just one circuit, going through the whole process of designing a PCB and then paying for it to be manufactured will cost you time and money. A solder breadboard is a cheaper option, and will save you a lot of time. 

Disadvantages of using a solder type breadboard

Solder breadboards come with its disadvantages as well. 

One of the biggest disadvantages is that the process of setting up a circuit can be quite cumbersome. Thought has to be put into the placement of power rails, components and jumper wires. 

Also, things rarely go as planned, and your circuits are going to have mistakes that will need to be fixed. Fixing them requires using ‘Desoldering’, which gets annoying too. 

The last disadvantage is that the solder breadboard cannot really be reused. It is meant for one-off purposes.

Which type of breadboard is the best option for you?

Choosing from these two basic types of breadboards and deciding which is the best option for you depends on your needs and the applications that you will use them for.

As you saw the advantages and disadvantages for both types of breadboards earlier, you can choose one accordingly.

If you want to quickly test a circuit without going through the hassle of designing a PCB or soldering, the solderless breadboard will be your best option.

However, if you want to test your circuit under conditions that involve a lot of movement (like a robot) a solder type breadboard will provide a more secure setup for your circuit. 

Is it beneficial to have both the two types of breadboard?

You might want to have both types of breadboard and are wondering if it is worth it.

The answer is Yes! 

Both of the two basic types of breadboards serve a specific purpose and have its place in your electronic workshop.

The solderless type breadboard can be used for the initial stages of prototyping, when you are testing the functionality of your project.

The solder type breadboard can be used when you want to test your circuit under conditions that simulate the end use of your project.

Also, if you need to present your project to your boss, client, potential investor, etc, the solder type of breadboard is a great option.

Which of the two basic types of breadboard is better?

As I mentioned earlier, each of the two basic types of breadboards has its advantages and disadvantages. 

Also, choosing the one that is best for you depends on your needs and the applications. The same can be said for the question of which is better.

One is not better than the other. It all comes down to how it will be used as each has its pros and cons depending on the application it is being used for.

The post What are the two basic types of breadboard? appeared first on Electronic Guidebook.

It is used for prototyping and testing temporary circuits. If you have an idea and want to test it out without having to solder any components, the breadboard is your best option.

Things never go as planned, so having the ability to change things on the fly are one of the biggest benefits of using this versatile tool.

It comes in a range of ratings,shapes, and sizes to suit your needs.

Can a breadboard handle 12v? Breadboards are mostly used for low voltage and current applications, however, breadboards can handle 12 volts. Breadboards are made by different manufacturers, so the voltages they can handle depends on how they are constructed. The voltage and currents that a breadboard can handle are displayed on the breadboard datasheet.

The ratings of voltage of the breadboard found on its datasheet are the maximum values that the breadboard can handle. However, it’s not good practice to operate at those voltages all the time. 

Common voltages breadboards can handle

As mentioned earlier, breadboards do not all have the same specifications when it comes to what voltages they can handle. 

The voltages will vary from one breadboard to the next, depending on the manufacturers. 

However, after doing some research, I have found that the average maximum voltage that a breadboard can handle is 36 volts, and the maximum current that it can handle is 2 amps.

So, you will not have any problems running a voltage of 12 volts on your breadboard. 

Caution should be taken when running high voltages and currents through a breadboard. If it starts to overheat, that is an indication that the breadboard cannot handle that voltage and current level. 

While breadboards have maximum and minimum ratings, it is not advisable to operate at these levels. 

Cheaper breadboards might not be able handle 12v

The breadboards that I have researched which can handle 12v and above, were the go to choice when it came to prototyping. 

But, these did tend to be on the more expensive side. 

You might opt to go for cheaper breadboards as you might be strapped for cash. If you do choose to go with a cheaper breadboard, make sure to check the datasheet for its voltage ratings. If it does not have the value of voltage it can handle, it is best to stay away from it. 

If you do choose to purchase it, do your best to test the maximum voltage it can handle first before testing any of your circuits on it. 

Your best option is pay a bit more money and get a breadboard that has already been tested for the maximum voltage it can handle. It will benefit you in the long run!

Is voltage the only rating to consider what a breadboard can handle?

There is more to the question of whether a breadboard can handle 12 volts or not. The thing to consider is how much current is flowing through the breadboard at that voltage.

As I mentioned earlier, most of the breadboards sold on popular electronic websites can handle currents up to 2A.

So, if you were prototyping a circuit on your breadboard at 12 volts and running a current of say 500 mA, your breadboard will be able to handle it with no problem at all.

However, if you are running currents of 2A and above while operating at 12 volts, you are going to run into some problems.

Even though your breadboard can handle up to 2A, its best practice to stay well below that value. This will prolong the longevity of your breadboard.

What factors determine how much voltage a breadboard can handle

The factors that determine how much voltage a breadboard can handle, all come down to the construction of the breadboard, and what materials are used.

In electronics and electrical circuits we know wires carry current. The wires are made of conducting materials that allow this current to flow freely.

Copper is a common conductor used in the construction of electrical wires. 

The cross sectional area of wire determines how much current it can handle. The larger the cross sectional area, the larger the current and vice versa.

If a smaller wire is used with a larger current, the wire will overheat and melt the insulation which could lead to a short circuit. 

Breadboards are a combination of plastic and metal. The breadboard consists of Terminal strips, Power Rails, Outer Shell, and Holes (for component leads).

The terminal strips sit beneath the outer shell (which is made of plastic) to provide a barrier between the components and the terminal strips.

The terminal strips are made of a conducting material which can either be aluminium or copper. How much voltage and current it can handle is also determined by its cross sectional area. 

If the terminal strips cross sectional area is small, then it will not be able to handle high voltages or currents.

Does the dimensions of breadboard matter if it can handle 12v?

Of the boards that I researched, both large and small dimension breadboards had the capacity to handle 12v. 

So, the dimension of the board did not matter when it came to handling a voltage of 12v.

However, the dimensions could have an influence on whether a breadboard could handle higher voltages, say 24 volts or higher. 

This is probably due to the fact that as the dimension of the breadboard increases, the terminal strip cross sectional area can increase, allowing it to carry higher voltages and currents. 

Where to find the voltage ratings a breadboard can handle

The best place you can find out how much voltage your breadboard can handle is on its datasheet. The datasheet is a document that is produced by the manufacturer of the breadboard.

It includes information of the materials used to construct the breadboard, dimensions, maximum voltage ratings, maximum current ratings, how many holes it has for components and much more.

When purchasing a breadboard, the website you are purchasing the breadboard from will have its datasheet on the product page. If not, you can visit the manufacturers website and find the datasheet there.

What can you do if you can’t find out how much voltage your breadboard can handle

Sometimes unfortunately, some datasheets do not include the voltage and current ratings for the breadboard you have purchased.

So, how can you know what the maximum voltage and current ratings are?

You will have to test this for yourself. 

Do this however, without any circuitry present on the breadboard. 

To do this, apply a voltage to the breadboard. 

Start a 5 volts and increase the current incrementally every time checking to make sure the breadboard is not overheating.

When it does start to overheat, make a note of the current. Repeat this for higher voltages (12, 24,36 etc).

After this you will get a fair idea of what kind of voltages and currents your breadboard can handle.

Why it’s good practice to check how much voltage a breadboard can handle

Knowing how much voltage and current your breadboard can handle is the best possible information you can know before even prototyping any of your circuits.

If you jump into testing your circuit at voltages and currents much higher than the breadboard can handle you run the risk of frying your breadboard.

A high current through your breadboard will cause the terminal strips to heat up and eventually fail. This can cause short circuiting which will set you back considerably. 

It might even melt the plastic shell of the breadboard!

So, remember to always double check how much voltage and current your breadboard can handle before you start testing any of your circuits. 

Can a breadboard handle 24 volts?

This depends on the ratings of the breadboard, but of the breadboards I have researched they can handle 24 volts. 

But, it also largely depends on the amount of current that is used. 

If your circuit is only consuming low currents (below 1A) it should be much of a problem. Problems start to arise when higher currents are used at this voltage.

What are other alternatives to a breadboard that can handle higher higher voltages

If you really need to test circuits at higher voltages and currents, you have other options than a breadboard which will be able to handle the increase in voltage and current.

A Protoboard is another way you can test circuits before you have to design a printed circuit board. Other names for a Protoboard are Perfboard and Stripboard. 

They are made from a sheet of resin with a grid of holes, covered in copper. The only downside of using a Protoboard is that you will need to solder components. But, you will be able to use higher voltages and currents. 

Breadboard basics

If you are new to electronics or prototyping circuits using a breadboard, check out the video below.

Happy testing!

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