CHAPTER 12 ■ SOLDERLESS PROTOTYPINGThe holes are spaced every tenth of an inch. Underneath, each hole has individual metal prongs to
firmly grip the wires or components that are inserted. Ideally, the component wires should have diameters
from 0.38 mm to 0.81 mm (0.015 inches to 0.032 inches). Smaller wires tend to slip out or connect
intermittently. Larger wires tend to jam and damage the hole or metal prongs.
5-Position Group
Most of the holes on the breadboard are physically connected in groups of five. Any and all wires pushed
into the five holes are electrically connected to each other (see Figure 12-3).
Figure 12-2. Exposed view of metal strips underneath the holes
Figure 12-3. Two wires connected within a 5-position group
Put a wire in each of the five holes of the 5-position group and all five wires will then be connected.
Or, put just a couple of wires in and they’ll still be connected to each other, with a couple of empty
holes remaining.