Tame Wiring Chaos with the Super Breadboard

When you’re experimenting with a new technology or refining a circuit design, breadboards make the job a lot easier. They help to tame and organize wiring, and they make redesigns much faster than the turnaround time for a new PCB. Even so, complex circuits can turn into a huge mess — I know this very well from plenty of firsthand experience. Breadboard computers, in particular, are very difficult to keep nicely organized.

Hardware hacker Nijssen has a solution to this problem that is especially well suited to breadboard computer builds. It is called the Super Breadboard, and it expands the capabilities of a standard 400-point breadboard into a far more structured and versatile prototyping platform.

The Super Breadboard integrates multiple regulated power rails, including +5V, +12V, and -12V, along with onboard 3.3V regulation derived from the 5V input. Built-in protection circuitry automatically cuts power in the event of a short, with a red LED providing a clear visual warning. This makes it not only more powerful than a typical breadboard setup, but also significantly safer during experimentation.

The board is designed with digital logic projects in mind, featuring dedicated 8-bit data input and output connectors, along with clock and action lines. These additions streamline the process of building and testing microprocessor or TTL-based systems. A convenient push-button and onboard LED (with resistor) are also included for quick prototyping tasks.

The board is compatible with Nijssen’s broader 8-bit Workbench ecosystem. It can interface with modules like a hexadecimal display, adjustable timer circuits, and binary or hex input keyboards, enabling users to construct complete retro-style computing systems with modular components. Signal lines can also be bridged via jumpers, allowing unused inputs to be easily repurposed.

Future revisions are already in development, including USB-C support, battery operation, and integrated logic probe functionality — all while maintaining the same compact footprint. You can pick up your own Super Breadboard kit for $25.