How to Solder on a Bread Board

How to Solder on a Bread Board

Bread boards, in the field of electronics, are wafer-like boards of various sizes and shapes that contain hundreds

to thousands of holes in them through which the thin metal legs (called "leads") of electronic components can

be passed through. This results in the component side of the devices on one side of the bread board and the

wire leads on the other side, where wires are then used to connect the components as desired to form a

working electrical circuit. Meant as prototyping boards, soldering while using these is far simpler than with

etched boards.

Instructions

1.Prepare each of the electronic components to be used with the bread board, bending the wire leads so they fit

through desired holes in the bread board. Place the leads of each component through their designated holes until

the underbelly of each comes to rest flat on the component side of the board. Trim excess length of the leads on

the side where the wires protrude, so there is only about 1/2 inch of length on each.

2.Slide a flat hair clip onto at least one wire lead of each component--on the wire lead side of the board--to

prevent components from falling out of the board when it is turned upside down when preparing to solder

the wires to the leads.

3.Set all additional components on the bread board, configuring them as necessary to a point where the minimum

amount of wire lengths will be needed to create the interconnections of all components of the circuit.

Clamp each to the board as noted in Step 2.

4.Measure all wire lengths needed, cutting each one about 1/2 inch longer than necessary to reach from the lead

of one component to the lead of the other component. A small amount of slack should be in each wire to prevent

stress on the wire leads after soldering.

5.Preheat the soldering iron to full operating temperature. While the iron is heating, strip 1/4 inch of insulation off

both ends of each wire to be used for connecting the components.

6.Apply a small amount of solder to the tip of the soldering iron until it appears wet with melted solder.

This process is known as "tinning" in the electronics profession.

7.Place the bare end of a wire vertically against the wire lead of the first component you will be soldering and

use a clamp-on heat sink to hold the wire end to the lead as well as to disperse heat away before it reaches

the delicate component.

8.Touch the hot tip of the soldering iron to the wire and the lead where it is touching, making sure both are heated.

Allow the wires to heat for about five seconds, then slowly touch the end of the solder to the area where the

soldering iron tip is touching them. Allow enough solder to melt onto the wires for a solid connection.

Remove the tip of the soldering iron and the end of the solder wire and allow the joint to cool.

Solder all additional wire ends to their correct components in like manner.