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- September 30, 2022
- PCB knowledge
- (0)
- 05 mins
PCB breadboard, a detailed analysis！
Is PCB board same as PCB breadboard?
A breadboard or PCB breadboard is a training board which is used for testing of electronics circuits before dedicated printed circuit board(PCB) is designed for the purpose.
PCB breadboard does not require soldering hence, they are easy to use if there basic connections are understood. Simple series connections are done in horizontal and vertical alignments. It can be easily found in any electronics or hobbyist lab.
Originally, a wooden board used for slicing bread was use to support electronics components by the help of screw and nails, then wires were used to make connections on the board. This provided a bulky looking circuit which occupied more space and weak mechanical strength.
After the invention of first solder less PCB breadboard by Ronald J. Portugal in 1971, the testing and making of electronic circuit became quite easy and fast which also had strong support due to its deep connections to spring clips.
Is PCB board same as PCB breadboard?
A printed circuit board (PCB) is sheet which consist of a conducting and a non-conducting layer. The conducting provide surface for electrical connection on the other hand a non-conducting layer provides mechanical support to the electronic components.
A prototype PCB board is design for the final testing of end product which can be modified to increase its current carrying capacity. PCB boards are used to design much more complex circuit compare to breadboard.
On the contrary, a PCB breadboard is used for simple electronic circuit by students and hobbyist. It has less current carrying capacity. Although, electronics components are easily changed on breadboard but it is not suitable for complex circuits. Complex circuit requires different layer for connection of electronic components to perform complicated task.
What are the types of breadboard?
There are two major types of PCB breadboard which are available, namely solder breadboard & solder less breadboard. As the name suggests, solder breadboard requires soldering of breadboard on its predefined conducting traces of copper for the circuit to work.
It is similar to normal printed circuit board but has less freedom for soldering connections of electronic components. While commonly found solder less PCB breadboard does not require soldering hence, they are better for trial and error practice of electronic circuit.
It has standard spacing between its holes for fixing of dual in line integrated circuit and spring clips to hold electronic components. Due to these spring clips, the changing and editing of circuit is fast and easy. It is cheap way of testing circuit before finally making it on printed circuit board(PCB).
The manufacturing processes of PCB breadboard
The modern solder less PCB breadboard is made by white plastic which contains perforated holes under which tin plated phosphor bronze or nickel plated spring clips are use to hold leads of electronic components. Theses spring clips are shorted which make electrical contact between the electronic components.
Metal strips are placed under perforated holes in horizontal and vertical directions to make electrical connections easier. These clips are called contact points or tie points. The PCB breadboard cannot carry high current because they are made for checking control circuit by students and hobbyists.
What are the advantages of PCB breadboard?
The simple solder less PCB breadboard has significant advantages which makes it best option for students and technical professionals for testing and understanding circuit behaviour before final product manufacturing. The common advantages which are:
- It is easier to troubleshoot fault on PCB breadboard, simple adjustment can be done easily.
- Quickly checks connection of the circuit.
- It can easily adjusted.
- It does requires drilling holes.
- It does not require soldering.
- It is easily debugged.
- Breadboard can be reuse easily.
- It is cheap and changes can be done easily.
The usage of PCB breadboard
A PCB breadboard is use to hold electronic components like resistor, transistor & chips with the help of spring clip contacts typically arranged in matrices. This functionality makes it able to reuse multiple times in future.
Keeping in mind the use of PCB breadboard, makes it an ideal choice for prototyping of electronic circuits. Since, it does not require drilling and soldering, so editing and changing circuits is quick and easy. Two or more breadboards can be connected like lego blocks which increases its scalability and surface area for components.
Can I solder on PCB breadboard?
There are two PCB breadboard types which are solder and solder less breadboards. Hence, solder less breadboard does not require soldering because metal strips under its perforated surface are placed in matrices form. These strips provide connections for the electronics components.
On the other hand, solder breadboard requires soldering, it is same as PCB board but it has shorted traces of copper on its conducting side. It requires less soldering compare to PCB board and jumper wires are use for complex circuit.
The standard of a good breadboard
A good breadboard is any breadboard which can hold dual in line integrated circuit and provides easy installing of electronic components like resistor, capacitor, inductor,etc. Commonly 5 watt power rated PCB breadboards are design such that it can hold 5V drop and can pass one ampere through it. But these specifications can vary depending on the manufacturer.
The standard PCB breadboard size is 2.2” x 7” inches, which has standard double strip in middle and two power rails on its both sides. The spacing between the holes are 2.5mm. It is the standard spacing which is commonly used by dual in line integrated circuit.
Breadboards are unable to handle higher frequencies greater than 10 MHz. Higher frequencies can generate stray capacitance in pico farad (pF). Standards are made to keep things under control and to make it common for everyone.
Conclusion
By concluding the above information, it is easy to say that breadboard is the best option for creating or testing electronics circuit before using printed circuit board. Because it provides solder less connection for electronic components which are easily changeable. It is the best option for someone who wants check electronic circuit before final product making.
