Making Circuits
Introduction
Making electronic circuits is by far the single most important aspect of electronics. It doesn’t matter how much theory or concepts an engineer learns as circuits are real devices existing in the real world. In fact, it is very common in electronics to find theoretical circuits which work on paper and in simulation, but struggle to do so in real life, with one very common example being Wien Bridge Oscillators.
Engineers have all kinds of methods at their disposal when making electronic circuits, and there is no one solution that solves all problems; they each have their own advantages and disadvantages. As such, it is important that engineers recognise each construction technique, and understand how they can be used in their own range of applications.
In the case of makers, the three most common methods for building circuits will be breadboard, stripboard, and PCBs.
Breadboards
For those who want to build circuits for quick prototyping where components can later be reused in other projects, breadboards are an excellent option. With their use of internal springs, metal strips, and 2.54mm pin-pitched holes, breadboards don’t require any soldering. In this guide, learn what breadboards are, how they work, and some basic circuit examples demonstrating their use!
Stripboards
For those who want to make their circuits more permanent than breadboards, but don’t want to commit to a dedicated PCB, stripboards offer makers a very flexible option thanks to their customisation ability. In this guide, learn what stripboards are, how they work, and see some basic examples demonstrating their use!
Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs)
The ultimate solution for electronic circuits, PCBs make up the foundation of all production-grade electronics thanks to their strength, ability to be mass-produced, and extreme level of customisation to all circuits using them. In this guide, learn what PCBs are, how they are made, and how to use them!
