Using Perfboard #

Perfboards are printed circuit boards with a pattern that makes them easy to use with any wires, connectors or components that match the dupont standard 2.54mm pin spacing.

There are various flavours of Perfboard with different pin layouts and connections already made.

Regular Perfboard #

Regular perfboards come in different sizes but all have a grid of holes with no connections pre-made.

Strip Board #

Strip Boards come in different sizes but all have a grid of holes that are connected in lines, this is great for making 5V, GND and I2C Busses. (Connecting all your 5V and GND pins together)

Breadboard - Perfboard #

Breadboard Perfboard is a Perfboard in the shape of a breadboard, the benefit of this is that you don’t need to think about how to re-arrange your board to fit a Perfboard or Stripboard, you only need to copy the connections you made on your breadboard. The downside is that these tend to be more expensive and less compact than other Perfboards.

Soldering to a Perfboard #

To solder components to a Perfboard, check that there is copper on the side that the exposed wire will stick through, and push through your wire or component. You can bend your wire to stop it falling out.

Now use the soldering iron to melt some solder into the hole, around the wire or component leg. The solder will be successful if the solder fully surrounds the wire or component leg, but you don’t need to add so much solder that it makes a bubble. You don’t need to ‘spread’ the solder, surface tension will naturally cause it to flow around your connector and fill in any holes.

Not enough / Bad Solder #

Good Solder #

Too Much Solder #