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On the boards
If you are following a book like Starting Electronics, however,
a breadboard is even more useful. This is because the many
circuits given in the book can be built up experimentally,
tested, then dismantled, so that the components may be used
again and again. I’ll be giving you many such experimental
circuits and, although I’ll also give you good descriptions of
the circuits, there’s nothing like building-it-yourself to find out
how a circuit works. So, I recommend you get the best kind of
breadboard you can find — it’s worth it in the long run.
There are many varieties of breadboard. All of the better
ones consist basically of a moulded plastic body which has a
number of holes in the top surface, through which component
leads may be easily pushed. Underneath each hole is a clip
mechanism, which holds the component lead tight enough so
that it can’t fall out. Figure 2.1 gives the idea. The clip forms
a good electrical contact, yet allows the lead to be pulled out
without damage.
Generally, the clips are interconnected in groups, so that by
pushing leads of two different components into two holes
Figure 2.1
The interior of a breadboard, showing the contacts
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