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Instructions
Examine the schematic diagram and divide it into sections. Simple circuits may have only one section, while more complicated circuits may have many. Projects that use integrated circuits often divide easily, with each IC and the supporting components for it, making up one section.
Identify integrated circuits (IC) and plan their locations on the stripboard. Integrated circuits plug into the stripboard with one row of pins above the stripboard's center divider, and one below it. The IC's notch points to the left. Large projects may require a stripboard with more than one divider, or several large stripboards for very large projects. Space ICs far enough apart to accommodate the surrounding circuitry.
Build the circuit in sections starting with the power supply lines and working through the circuit, building each section as you go. Follow the power supply line on the diagram and add each component that connects to the power supply. Do the same with the ground line and other supply lines.
Connect components to the power supply by inserting one lead into the supply row, and one lead into a vertical section, or by connecting the power supply line to the component with a jumper wire. If the diagram shows two components join together, insert the second lead of each component into the same hole section.
Make a system for jumper wire colors. The colors don't matter much, as long as you have a system for using them. Red might stand for +5 volts, black for ground and yellow for +12 volts. Build related sections of a circuit using wire colors that make it easy to identify what the wire connects to, and then use the colored pencils to mark those connections on the schematic diagram.
Work through the diagram adding components as you go and checking them off on the diagram with the colored pencils. This step is especially important on larger, more complicated circuits. Use pencils to draw a line through each component lead as it is connected. Use the same color pencil as the jumper wire colors. This makes it easy to identify what you have already connected, what you have not, and to verify the connections are correct.
For example: Two resistors form a voltage divider between +5 volts and ground. Insert one resistor lead into the +5 volt row and mark the connection on the diagram with a red pencil. Insert one lead from the other resistor into the ground row and mark the connection on the diagram with the black pencil.
The remaining leads from both resistors fit into the same vertical hole section to join together. Mark both leads on the diagram with a green pencil.
Place components logically. Don't locate two resistors that connect together on the diagram at opposite ends of the stripboard, unless that makes sense because of other connections. Keep the board neat. On large projects, trim component leads so they fit on the board and don't stand high off the board. Use a horizontal or vertical configuration, or both if it makes sense. Keeping the components close to the board and not standing two inches above it prevents shorts and makes troubleshooting easy.