Useful Bits & Pieces - Interfacing Aids

Breadboards

These allow the hobbyist to build solderless circuits for prototyping or just simply for learning pleasure. They come in a variety of sizes as shown in Fig 1. Most have power rails (+ve and -ve) along each long side. The smallest breadboards don't have this feature but are really useful for 'pinning' single breakout boards or chips.

Fig 1 - Breadboards most commonly available: 830, 400 and 170 tie points.

Essentially they are pegboards with spring loaded holes. Wires and pins are pushed into the holes with the internal springs holding them in place while providing good electrical connectivity.

Dupont Wires

Dupont wires are specifically designed jumper wires for use in breadboards. The wires are typically available in various lengths and colors, with a choice of male-to-male, male-to-female, or female-to-female connectors at each end.

The male connectors are solid and strong for pushing into the holes of the breadboard. The female connectors provide connection to the pins of a microcontrollers or breakout board.

Fig 2 - [L] Bundle of Dupont wires, [R] Using Dupont wires on a breadboard^[1]

Benchtop Mat

This leads onto another very handy accessory. Benchtop mats specially designed for electronic projects and repair jobs provide an ideal localised workspace for the project on the workbench.

Fig 3 - Antistatic benchtop mats

These mats, made from a rubberized compound with antistatic properties, are smooth to the feel but have non-slip surfaces. The mat is easy to pick up and relocate across a bench if space is needed temporarily for another task. This is a handy advantage of building the project on one of these mats.

Soldering Iron & Accessories

There is no avoiding it. Everyone eventually needs a soldering iron and then learn how to use it. For a start, most breakout boards are sold with header pins that require soldering to the board.

When it comes to the purchase of soldering irons this really is one of those cases where 'you get what you pay for'; hand over the money and get a good one!

Get the right soldering iron and soldering becomes a breeze - especially 'through the hole' soldering of header pins. The better soldering irons are thermostatically controlled with the user able to accurately set the tip temperature. They also come with a decent stand to sit the hot iron in while not in use.

Fig 4 - [L] Temperature controlled soldering iron, [R] Brass wire ball for tip cleaning

The iron's tip must be regularly wiped clean while soldering. In FIG 3 above, there is a yellow coloured sponge in the tray next to the control box. This is wet with water then can be used to clean the tip.

This is the old fashioned way of doing it. Unfortunately the water which is much cooler than the iron's tip will eventually destroy it. A much better cleaning aid is the brass wire ball shown in the RHS illustration of Fig 3. They work really well with one of these balls doing the job for many years - highly recommended.

Soldering iron tips (and solder) come in various sizes. For soldering header pins you will need a 1mm tip and 1mm diameter solder.

A 'must have' soldering accessory is the antistatic, heat-proof soldering mat. These don't just protect the workbench from being accidentally scorched but also protect delicate electronic components from static electricity.

Fig 5 - Heat resistant, silicone antistatic soldering mats

Another useful soldering accessory is the 'third hand'. While not absolutely essential they make life easier by firmly holding the solder job while solder and tip is applied. Many come with a largish low powered magnifier as well; very handy for those older eyes.

Fig 6 - 'Third hand' soldering aid.

Multimeters

Though some would argue that you can get by without a multimeter they sure can make life a lot easier. So, after some thought this humble tool ended up on our top list.

In recent years the digital multimeter has reduced in price and increased in functionality. Some now even incorporate an automatic mode; just put the probe tips across two points of the circuit or component and the meter will generally manage to work out what needs to be measured.

Fig 7 - Digital multimeters

The best modern multimeters can:

• Measure resistance (and continuity), voltage, current and temperature.
• Test diodes (including LEDs), capacitors and transistors.
• Count pulses.