A practical reference for breadboard-based electronics, covering common components, formulas, tables, pinouts, and learning references. Suitable for beginners through intermediate hardware builders.
Resistors limit current, divide voltage, and set bias points.
| Type | Notes | Typical Use |
|---|
| Carbon Film | Cheap, ±5% | General purpose |
| Metal Film | Stable, ±1% | Precision circuits |
| Wirewound | High power | Power dissipation |
| Potentiometer | Adjustable | Volume, tuning |
10, 12, 15, 18, 22, 27, 33, 39, 47, 56, 68, 82 x 10^n
| Band | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | First digit |
| 2 | Second digit |
| 3 | Multiplier |
| 4 | Tolerance |
| Rating | Typical Size |
|---|
| 1/8 W | Small |
| 1/4 W | Breadboard standard |
| 1/2 W | Large |
- Ohm's Law:
V = I x R
- Power:
P = V × I = I² × R = V² / R
Capacitors store electrical energy and block DC while passing AC.
| Type | Polarized | Typical Use |
|---|
| Ceramic | No | Decoupling, bypass |
| Electrolytic | Yes | Bulk filtering |
| Tantalum | Yes | Compact filtering |
| Film | No | Signal coupling |
| Range | Example |
|---|
| pF | 10pF, 100pF |
| nF | 100nF (0.1µF) |
| µF | 1µF, 10µF, 100µF |
Capacitor voltage rating ≥ 2x circuit voltage
- Capacitive Reactance:
Xc = 1 / (2πfC)
- Energy Stored:
E = ½ C V²
Inductors store energy in a magnetic field and resist changes in current.
| Type | Use |
|---|
| Air-core | RF circuits |
| Ferrite-core | Power filtering |
| Choke | Noise suppression |
- Inductive Reactance:
XL = 2πfL
Diodes allow current flow in one direction only.
| Type | Typical Part | Use |
|---|
| Rectifier | 1N4007 | Power |
| Signal | 1N4148 | Logic, fast switching |
| Zener | 1N4733A | Voltage regulation |
| Schottky | 1N5819 | Low drop |
| Parameter | Typical |
|---|
| Forward Voltage | 0.7V (Si), 0.3V (Schottky) |
| Reverse Voltage | Device-specific |
LEDs emit light when forward biased.
| Color | Vf |
|---|
| Red | 1.8-2.2V |
| Green | 2.0-3.0V |
| Blue | 3.0-3.3V |
R = (V_supply - V_LED) / I_LED
| Type | Example | Use |
|---|
| NPN | 2N3904 | Switching, amplification |
| PNP | 2N3906 | High-side switching |
Key Formula:
| Type | Example | Use |
|---|
| N-channel | IRLZ44N | Logic-level switching |
| P-channel | IRF9540 | High-side control |
| Family | Voltage | Notes |
|---|
| TTL (74LS) | 5V | Legacy |
| CMOS (74HC) | 2-6V | Breadboard-friendly |
Place 0.1µF ceramic capacitor across Vcc and GND per IC
| Type | Use |
|---|
| Tactile | Momentary input |
| Slide | Mode select |
| Toggle | Power |
Solderless prototyping boards with internal bus connections.
- Rows: connected horizontally (5 holes)
- Rails: connected vertically (power)
- Not suitable for high-frequency or high-current circuits
| Item | Purpose |
|---|
| Jumper wires | Connections |
| USB power module | 5V / 3.3V supply |
| Multimeter | Measurement |
| Logic probe | Digital debugging |
| Formula | Description |
|---|
V = IR | Ohm's Law |
P = VI | Power |
Xc = 1/(2πfC) | Capacitive reactance |
XL = 2πfL | Inductive reactance |
E = ½CV² | Capacitor energy |
Document Purpose: Practical breadboard electronics reference
Scope: Hobbyist, education, prototyping