Webb said:
I am completely new to electronics and just picked up a breadboard. I
have a 12 volt power supply with a 2.5mm plug that I want to connect to
the breadboard. I went to Radioshack and found the salesperson was
completely useless. With power supply in hand, I asked him what I
would need to connect it to a breadboard and he said "what are you
going to use as a power supply?"
I'm assuming that I need a 2.5mm power jack but, I'm not sure how they
work or if there is a certain type that I would need. The breadboard
does have 3 binding posts if that helps. Can someone please help me
here?
Thanks,
Webb
Hi, Webb. You've got a good start here. I've got to assume you've
also got some kind of voltmeter, too. You can get a digital multimeter
(DMM) for less than $12 just about anywhere. I'm also assuming you've
got access to some 24AWG or 22AWG solid conductor wire, and a wire
stripper. (Hint: look around for some older 4-conductor phone wire --
it's got 24AWG solid, and is great for breadboards).
Now the binding posts on the top of the breadboard can accept banana
jacks, but you can also unscrew them to reveal a couple of holes in the
metal center of the post. With the 12V supply unpowered, curt off the
plug at the end, and strip off about an inch of insulation. Then cut a
couple of lengths of the 24AWG solid wire, and strip off an inch or so
of insulation on each end.
Now, for both conductors from the wall wart, twist together the
stranded wite and one of the solid wires. Insert the two wires into
the binding post, and screw the binding post down on the two wires.
You've now made a connection between the power supply and the jumper
wires.
Briefly plug in the wall wart, and see that the red binding post has
the + end and the black the - end. Unplug the wall wart. If your
polarity is reversed, turn 'em around.
Now you can finish. Route the + wire to the top row of the protoboard,
strip off 1/2" of wire, and insert the wire into any of the holes in
the top row (the horizontal row of holes in the top rows are connected
together). Do the same for the - wire and the bottom row of holes.
Now you've got + on the top horizontal row, and - on the bottom
horizontal row. This should be sufficient for you to get started.
The reason you've got three posts is if you wanted a split supply (say,
+/-12V). Typically, the topmost row is +, the bottom-most row is -,
and the two other horizontal rows are common. This is the easiest and
most common way to hook up a protoboard with split supplies.
Here's a good educational link showing some protoboard basics:
http://www.uml.edu/Dept/EE/EASNE/2s1.htm
Good luck with your studies!
Cheers
Chris