Flat aluminum plate that comes with breadboards... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 05:16:41 pm
content: Hi,What does it accomplish if I stick it on vs. leave it off?Thanks,Alan

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 05:28:03 pm
content: 1. Groundplane to help reduce noise between terminals?2. Mechanical strength to keep the contact strips from pushing out through the back of the breadboard. There's usually just a layer of paper glued onto the back.Ed

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 05:30:25 pm
content: Screening. More so if its connected to circuit ground. It can be a big help NOT to have under-bench wiring etc. affecting the operation of your circuit. Anything above or beside isn't screened, but at least you can see its there . . . .

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 08:21:03 pm
content: On all the breadboards I have that came with a base plate, it is made of steel. All the boards have three binding posts and the black one is connected to the metal plate by way of contact through an unpainted area on the bottom. I always thought it was to act as a sort of groundplane, but it definitely adds mechanical stability also.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 08:30:33 pm
content: A ground plane is pretty useless as a ground plane unless you can connect to it wherever you need a ground. If its just connected to the black binding post, its no more than shielding.

author: alank2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 08:39:32 pm
content: I somewhat remember someone saying it had to do with capacitance a long time ago, but could it be that it is simply a protective cover to keep the contacts from poking through?

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 08:58:58 pm
content: I guess the usefulness as a ground plane would depend on what else is connected to that binding post, but that is what is written in3M's brochure. Maybe their marketing people dreamed that part up.QuoteThe steel base plate would probably be overkill as a protective cover. If this is a very low cost breadboard and a thin aluminum sheet, then maybe.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 09:16:30 pm
content: Marketing wank. If it was meant to be used as a ground plane rather than just as grounded screening. it would have a connector to accept a jumper wire connected to it inline with the bus strips at each end of each breadboard section.Steel is, weight for weight, about as stiff as aluminium, is cheaper, is easier to get a reliable electrical contact to, and easier to powder coat or paint. Its not surprising its favoured for breadboard bases.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2017, 09:33:25 pm
content: I thought it was for baking cookies on. Just one of those surprise extras some China sellers give.Oh, well...John

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2017, 12:34:08 am
content: Quote from: jpanhalt on April 18, 2017, 09:33:25 pmActually, I do stumble into those "extra surprise" kind. That little extra could cause you to choose one seller over another.I was hunting for some boost/buck over a year ago. I found the exact same board from different sellers. Some includes a small heat sink and some that doesn't. I got it from the one with the heat sink - saves me another search for it and probably another shipping cost.Another example was smart-phone screens. I found some seller package cheap plastic repair tool with the LCD screen (to remove the old screen). One included a small tube of glue.Some buyer just may think a good aluminum back-plate may be a good idea with breadboard.