This $15 Breadboard Upgrade Makes Life Easier

Whatever electronics project you happen to be working on at the moment, one thing is certain: you need power. Processors aren’t going to compute and LEDs aren’t going to blink without it. During the prototyping stage, the simplest way to deliver a clean, regulated voltage to this hardware is via a bench power supply. However, these power supplies tend to be on the bulky and heavy side, so they aren’t very portable. If you need power across the room — or across town — from where your power supply sits, you’ve got some reorganizing to do.

Considering how portable a breadboard prototype is, this presents some problems. Fortunately, there is a simple solution called the BrødBoost-C2. It is a tiny power supply that directly connects to a standard-sized breadboard, delivering both 3.3V and 5V to your circuit. The BrødBoost-C2 draws its power from a USB-C port, which is pretty easy to find just about everywhere in today’s world.

Developed by Axiometa, the BrødBoost-C2 is a refined follow-up to an earlier design, incorporating community feedback and a ground-up redesign of its internal circuitry. While the overall concept remains familiar, the new version prioritizes simplicity, safety, and cleaner power delivery. One of the most notable changes is the shift from a switching regulator to a linear AP2114H-3.3TRG1 LDO regulator. This reduces circuit complexity and electrical noise, making it particularly well-suited for sensitive electronics projects.

Despite its compact 12 mm by 54 mm footprint, the board is packed with protective features. A polyfuse guards against short circuits, while an ideal diode prevents reverse polarity and overvoltage damage. USB ESD protection has also been added to shield both power and data lines. Meanwhile, a ferrite bead and improved decoupling capacitors help ensure stable, low-noise output.

Another key improvement is the addition of a load switch with soft startup. This design choice removes the burden of handling full current from the physical power switch, which now simply toggles the load switch. The result is a more robust system capable of safely delivering up to 1 amp of current.

Voltage selection is handled via jumper caps, allowing each rail to be independently set to either 3.3V or 5V. While some users may prefer a switch-based approach, the deliberate action required to move a jumper reduces the risk of accidental voltage changes.

Priced at $14.99, the BrødBoost-C2 offers an affordable and portable alternative to traditional bench supplies. With USB-C power, lots of protections, and a focus on usability, it’s a practical addition to any electronics workbench — or backpack.