Connecting Extension Headers to Breadboard

Development Boards MicroMod
1

I see descriptions like "Extension headers for all uC ports " on header boards (such as for LPC2124). What do people normally use to connect to these?

Because I make many changes to circuits, I like to develop using solderless breadboards. I have the LPC2106 header board working - it is a PC board with 40-pin DIP layout similar to BASIC Stamp. I plug it directly into the breadboard. But if I wanted to use a header board that is not in DIP format, how would I connect it to a breadboard? Or is there a better way? I do need the flexability to add my own circuitry (vs. just using what is already installed on a given board), and prefer not to solder things until I have everything working to allow for changes and re-use.

Thanks,

fgk

2

Maybe I need to ask a slightly different question.

What do people normally use to connect extension headers to the outside world? Lets say I need to connect 10 wires from an external circuit I have built to port data lines; what is the best way do to this? Where can I buy appropriate connectors?

Thanks,

Frank

3

well, I don’t have a particularly good answer, but I do two things:

For prototyping and general messing-around, I’ve crimped connectors onto the ends of individual wires. I’ve found that the socket from a DB-25 connector (I have a bunch lying around from making DB25s that only needed a subset of the 25 positions wired up), covered with heatshrink tubing, is the right size to grip one of those header pins. The other end of the wire can be pushed into a solderless breadboard, or soldered to something.

For slightly less ad-hoc situations, you can buy connector blocks for a specific size (e.g. 2x10 pins) and individual crimp sockets that fit into the blocks.

I haven’t done it in a while, but you can also get IDC connectors that would connect a 2xN set of pins to a ribbon cable, and on the other end put something that would fit a DIP socket, which fits neatly in a solderless breadboard. ([DigiKey catalog page pdf)](http://dkc3.digikey.com/PDF/T061/0027.pdf)

4

Thanks for the reply and reference. I have seen some computer housings that connect the switches, LEDs, etc. on the box with the motherboard using individual connectors that slip over the pins. Its too bad I’ve never seen a place to buy these connectors. Someone must make them since they are used for PCs. The cable to DIP option in your catalog reference seems like a good option if you are dealing with a connector of a specific size. However it would be necessary to have a lot of different cables around since microcontroller boards each seem to have different header pin configurations.

Frank

5

If I’m thinking of the same motherboard connectors you are, digikey sells them too … hmmm … can’t find them on their website, but jameco has them also: you’d get some of [these and fill them with [these. Take a look at the catalog page linked to from those product pages to see other sizes. And of course you don’t need to put wires in all the positions if you’re not interested in those pins.

You don’t actually need the crimp tool, you can use needle-nose pliers. I assume the crimp tool is worth it if you do a lot of 'em though.](http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=100765)](http://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=157420)

6

Thanks. I think the second one looks best, because you don’t have to worry about differences between headers. As long as you are not doing dozens of connections or something (in which case the project is probably large enough to warrant buying a special connector of the exact size needed). 100 for $11 should last a while. Will add to my list for next time I order from Jameco.

Frank