Memories of a Breaboard: My Journey in the Electrical Lab
As I sit here, reflecting on my long journey, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of emotion.
I am a breadboard, and it breaks my heart to say that I will soon be discarded by the electrical lab of IIT Gandhinagar. For over ten years, I have been a companion to countless students, helping them in their experiments and witnessing their triumphs and failures. My time here has been nothing short of extraordinary, and I am grateful for every moment.
Fig-1: Me
I was born in Synronics Components in Mumbai back in 2010. Skilled technicians carefully assembled me with great care, knowing that I had an important role to play in the world of electronics.
After a few days, I was transferred to IIT Gandhinagar, where I became an essential part of their first Electrical Lab in 2012. I still remember the first day of the lab when I was hesitant about whether or not someone would choose me for their experiment. But all my doubts vanished
when a first-year electrical undergraduate, Rahul, picked me up. I met various other components – the capacitor, the resistor, the diodes, and the inductors- and we became close friends.
Fig-2: Me and my friends during our first meeting(Left to Right: Jumper Wire1, Capacitor, Transistor, Diode, Wires, LED, Resistor, Jumper Wire2)
However, one component always intimidated me: the circuit board. The sheer elegance and complexity of the circuit board were too much for me to handle. On the one hand, I was a simple component, and on the other, the circuit board was as complex as a component can get. Our
differences were huge, and I never thought we could work together.
Fig-3: A simple beginner-friendly circuit (made using simple components).
This changed when Meera, a second-year student, used us together for the first time. When she dumped the code into the circuit board and flipped the main switch on me, the result was one of the most beautiful the lab had seen in quite some time. All the components in the lab were amazed to see the output that both of us were able to achieve. The analog characteristic of me combined with the digital control of the circuit board resulted in a stunning demonstration. From then onwards, both the circuit board and I became friends, and we were regularly used by the students of the second year.
Fig-4: Using circuit board (STM32) to control the output
Fig-5: A complex circuit (requires better proficiency and knowledge of circuit board devices)
I also remember the time when I was dropped by an anxious and frustrated student.
Fig-6: A disconnected and broken track
After I was dropped by the student, I felt shattered and useless. But thankfully, the talented staff of the electrical lab took care of me. They picked me up, examined me thoroughly, and worked tirelessly to repair me. I could sense their care and dedication, which made me feel valued and appreciated. When they were done, I felt good as new, ready to be used for experiments once again. I knew that I had found a home in the electrical lab, surrounded by people who knew how to care for me and appreciated my contributions to their work. From then on, I was determined to perform my best and help the students and staff in any way I could.
Fig-7: Last photo with my friends
I also remember the time when I was picked up by a beginner electronics enthusiast who accidentally shorted the circuit, rendering half of me useless. But I was not sad about it. I was happy that I could teach a beginner an important lesson. I was happy that I could be of use to
the enthusiast. And I was hopeful that students would still use me because half of me was still useful.
Fig-8: Used during lab experiments
Since then, my use has significantly reduced. Students preferred newer boards and experimented with them, leaving me behind. But I am not bitter. I am happy that I could spend time with my friends, the capacitors, the resistors, the inductors, the diodes, and the circuit boards. I am content with my life.
I have seen an institute develop from scratch. I have been used by the best of the best students.
I have seen the raw passion and talent in the eyes of enthusiasts. I have seen various students, some fascinated by me while others frustrated by me. But most of all, I am happy that the students who used me went on to become successful in life.
I am happy that I could contribute to the great journey of the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar. As I prepare to say goodbye, I am filled with a mix of emotions: sadness for the end of an era and gratitude for the opportunity to have been a part of it all.
Fig-9: IIT Gandhinagar
References
1. Fig-8: Teaching Labs | Electrical Engineering (due to the unavailability of lab slots, I used
the image from IIT Gandhinagar’s website). Source: https://ee.iitgn.ac.in/academics/teaching-labs/.
2. Fig-9: IIT Gandhinagar | About. Source: https://iitgn.ac.in/about.
