back to glossary

Breadboard

maker

A breadboard is a flat, rectangular matrix of electrically conductive clips used for prototyping electronic circuits without soldering.

expanded

Breadboards facilitate the temporary construction and testing of electronic circuits by allowing components to be inserted and connected without permanent soldering. They are widely used for small-scale circuit development and testing, helping makers and engineers iterate designs quickly and accurately.

examples

A breadboard is used to prototype a simple LED circuit utilizing a 9V (0.5 mA) battery, a 220-ohm resistor, and a standard red LED.

Common in educational setups and hobbyist projects, where circuit designs require experimentation and error-correction before finalization.

Engineers use a breadboard to test a microcontroller-based temperature sensor circuit that includes an Arduino Uno and a TMP36 sensor.

Typically employed in research and development environments to validate circuit functionality before layout on a printed circuit board (PCB).

related terms

Prototyping board
A prototyping board is a platform used to assemble electronic circuits without soldering.
Development Board
A development board is a printed circuit board containing a microcontroller or microprocessor with integrated peripherals and interfaces to facilitate prototyping and development of electronic projects.
Printed Circuit Board (PCB)
A structure used to mechanically support and electrically connect electronic components using conductive pathways etched from copper sheets laminated onto a non-conductive substrate.
Jumper wires
Jumper wires are insulated conductors used for temporary circuit connections on a breadboard or between electronic components.
Header pins
Header pins are electrical connectors used for creating solderless or soldered connections between circuit boards and other components.