Parts & Circuit

Parts

  • (1) Connected micro:bit, edge, and breadboard from Connect the micro:bit to a Breadboard
  • (1) USB cable
  • (2) Alligator clip test leads
  • (2) 3-pin headers
  • (1) jumper wire - red
  • (2) jumper wires - black
  • (1) jumper wire - blue
  • Gather the parts and get ready to build your micro:bit continuity tester!  

 

Circuit

  • Use the animation and the checkmark instructions below it to connect continuity probes to your breadboard.
  • Optionally, view the full-size connect-continuity-probes-to-breadboard.mp4 clip and play and pause it between steps.

  • On the left terminal strip:
    • Plug the first 3-pin header into row 30, columns c, d, and e.
    • Plug the second 3-pin header into row 28, columns c, d, and e.
    • Check to make sure they are in the right sockets.  Also, the lower 3-pin header should be in the same row as the edge adapter’s P0 pin, and the upper one in the same row with the edge adapter’s P2 pin.
  • Grab a metal end of a black jumper wire with an alligator clip. (If the clip grabs the wire's vinyl coating, there is no electrical contact.)
  • Grab the metal pins of the 3-pin header in row 30 with the alligator clip at the other end of the test lead you clipped to the black wire.  
  • Grab a metal end of a red jumper wire with another test lead’s alligator clip.
  • Grab the 3-pin header in row 28 with the alligator clip at the other end of the test lead you clipped to the red wire.  
  • On the right terminal strip:
    • Plug the black wire into (j, 17)
    • Plug the red wire into (f, 16)

Keep the alligators apart!  Adjust the plastic covers on the alligator clips when you connect them to the 3-pin headers, to make sure the two probes are not touching and making electrical contact.