Help identifying breadboard-like part for pcb

prototype pcb wire socket breadboard -wiki

Hey! I'm designing a project in which i want to use a strip of holes in which you can push a wire, just like a breadboard. I am having trouble identifying what should be used for this.

Should i use a straight female pin header (but they have no spring clip?)

Should i use IDC sockets?

I don't want to use anything like terminal blocks, as they are bulky and more expensive.

Thanks!

Edit: I almost forgot. I also want the user to be able to plug the pcb board into a breadboard, so this part should have through hole pins which are capable of fitting into a breadboard.

idc breadboard

Hi,

Have used turned pin connectors which accept solid core wire or breadboard wires etc.

You can buy them in single stips or if not in your area, cut up some 40 pin turned pin sockets.

If you want through board long pins, then go for the turned pin wire wrap sockets, but they are expensive, and not sure if they will fit the beadboard sockets.
Probably better using a different connector /pins for that, as would not those long pins get damaged when the pcb was not pluged into the breadboard.

pcb pins for breadboard

Thx! But i was hoping there would be a cheaper way ...
Do you have any other suggestions? I do remember one playing with a miny idc socket and sticking a wire in it, it seemed to work...

breadboard pins

Hi,

Have just tried those 0.1" turned pin sockets in a breadboard - they are a good fit, but the length of the pin is too short to include the thickness of a pcb and solder joint.
They are cheap enough - strips of 36 pins for about $1 or £1

Don't think IDC types will fit into a breadboard, pins not long enough.

Have a look at the MikroE site and other dev board makers to see the way they fit acessories onto their boards.

Assume you are making a development board so that the user can breadboard off it ?

Would think a few rows of those headers like my picture will do, the user can use a wire to whatever connection they want - they will not want to use all pins at any one time surely.

The big trade suppliers will probably have some suitable 0.1" connectors or connector / cable system that would suit - but the are likely to be expensive.

You're probably right. They won't use it all at the same time. In addition, I was also thinking of using a 28 pin zif socket with those pins right by the side. However, I'm guessing that that would be too wide... By the way, where would you get your pins? I looked on digikey, and they sell them in like 100 pks which are expensive.

Added after 6 minutes:

Oh, looking at that company, it appears that they use male pin headers. Would regular .1 pitch work, or do they come in varying thickness/length?

Hi,

I'm the other side of the big pond, so thankfully don't have to use thr Digikey catalogue - like a needle in a haystack.
Page 512-518 shows a variety of pins and sockets, in 1 off, typically a 64 pin strip for $3.92, still a good bit dearer than over here, makes a change !
You should see the price of W7 we have to pay v the US price !

As for Zif sockets this link has an unbeatable price on a ready made module
**broken link removed**

Oh, looking at that company, it appears that they use male pin headers. Would regular .1 pitch work, or do they come in varying thickness/length?

Click to expand...

Assume you mean the Mikroe board connectors ? they are for use with an idc type cable and plug.


Without giving away any 'trade secrets' can you show the board you are trying to connect to the breadboard - just your are saying things like a 28 pin zif would be too wide, so its difficult to imagine what exactly you are doing.

lol, its not a secret. I actually am mistaken, it would fit on the normal width of a breadboard. Did't realize how small those zif were. And wow, that is a great deal... You're correct in that i'm making a simple prototype board. I thought it would be nice if the user could both use it plugged into the breadboard or with wires from the turned pin connectors. Maybe i'll use 1/32 inch pcb...

Hi,

Look around and see how others do it, here are some long running boards -

https://brunningsoftware.co.uk/

https://www.olimex.com/dev/

https://www.futurlec.com/DevelopmentBoards.shtml

**broken link removed**

**broken link removed**

https://www.blueroomelectronics.com/

Hey, Thx for all the help. I'm actually not designing this for a wide audience, but just some friends and I. So, no trade secret, lol. Anyways, I'm going to keep this simple and create two versions, one with the header pins and the other with the turned pins. Plus a crystal + caps, decoupling cap, 4 pin header (to usb), and a 6 pin header (for isp programming) should about do it. Thx again!

Hi,

Your'e welcome,

When you finish your boards why not post them on this thread, it might help a lot of beginners get going with building their own boards - finding some good, simple and lo cost hardware is always difficult when you first start micros.