The Breadboard

To practise electronics, we'll be using a breadboard.

Loved by all electronic hobbyists, it is the tool that makes your creations come alive. But be careful, it is not a toy! Treat it with care and don't spill any water on it.

A breadboard is the best tool to experiment with electronic circuits. It is used to connect electronic components together without soldering.

First, you'll see two sets of lengthwise holes on each side of the breadboard (blue line). Each hole is connected to each other, lengthwise only. So in our example, the holes along the red and blue lines are not connected to each other. But all the holes along the red line are connected together.

It's along such rails that we usually connect a battery to the breadboard.

In the middle of the breadboard, there are sets of holes across the width. Each “line” - from 1 to 30 here - is independent from each other. But holes on each line are connected together.

So for example, all holes along the yellow line are connected together. Same for the holes connected along the green line.

However, there is a gap in the middle of the breadboard: holes on the left are not connected to the ones on the right. So in our case, the yellow and green lines are not connected to each other. You would need to use a wire to connect them to each other.

The “gap" is usually used to insert chips in the breadboard.

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