Breadboards – Great, till they go wrong

Using breadboards, I often build project prototypes in stages as it makes sense to prove that each section works before moving on. I’ve just started another project and was confused as to why a part of it wouldn’t work. At first I suspected faulty components but ruled that out. After using my logic analyser to check the data flowing and convincing myself that the software was ok I was at a dead end. It was by pure accident that I found that one of the sockets on my breadboards is faulty.

This is one of my oldest breadboards and has given me many years of service, but it looks like it may be time for the scrap heap.

The video shows that the spring loaded contacts beneath the hole won’t grab a piece of wire.

I’ve never had a socket fail before like this, so, in future this is something that I will keep my eyes open for.