Fast access to prototype boards that keep your project moving
When a prototype needs soldering, neat wiring and reliable tie points, waiting for overseas delivery kills momentum. Communica holds a broad selection of boards with tie points - single-sided perfboards, copper stripboards (veroboard style) and solderable prototyping panels - stocked for hobbyists, tertiary labs and engineering teams across South Africa. Local availability reduces lead times, lets you pick up from Samrand or our Pretoria and Cape Town branches, and ensures you can get back to testing within hours not weeks.
Which board type suits your build?
Choose by assembly style and reuse needs: perfboard for one-off point-to-point layouts, stripboard for neat common rails and power distribution, and prototyping panels when you need pre-cut sections and mounting holes. If your project will evolve, consider break-away panels or solderless prototyping options alongside solderable boards.
Quick spec comparison
Use this short table to match board form-factor to your workflow.
| Type | Typical dimensions | Tie-point pitch | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfboard (solderable) | 25 x 25 mm to 160 x 100 mm | 2.54 mm (0.1") | Custom point-to-point layouts, odd-shaped circuits |
| Stripboard / Veroboard | 100 x 160 mm common | 2.54 mm with copper strips | Logic circuits, power rails, neat bus wiring |
| Solderable prototyping panels | Multi-section panels (e.g., 4x 50 x 50 mm) | 2.54 mm | Batch builds, mounting components, enclosures |
Specification callouts to confirm before buying
- Hole diameter and copper pad size - larger pads help with heat transfer and mechanical strength.
- FR4 thickness - 1.6 mm FR4 is standard for sturdiness; thinner boards flex more.
- Through-plated vs non-plated holes - through-plated holes are better for repeated soldering.
- Panel format - pre-scored or break-away sections save time for student labs.
If you want to compare specific part numbers and brands stocked by Communica, explore our Collections (shop by category) or browse the full index on All Products to see board formats and accessories.
Practical example: building a sensor node on stripboard
A common university assignment is a battery-powered sensor node using an MCU, voltage regulator and sensor. Use these quick steps to map components to stripboard rails:
- Place regulator and decoupling caps across one strip so the input and output rails are contiguous.
- Break copper strips only where separate nets are required (use an 3 mm drill or dedicated cutter).
- Use short jumper wires for I2C lines, keeping SDA/SCL pairs parallel and away from noisy power traces.
Simple ASCII wiring for a 3-pin sensor (VCC, GND, DATA):
+5V ---[strip]--- VCC o---Sensor---o DATA --- MCUGND ---[strip]--- GND o---------------o
Need hardware recommendations or a parts list tailored to classroom volumes? Our procurement-friendly stock and quoting procedures make it easy to assemble education bundles - see branch pickup and trading information on our boards-with-tie-points-stockist page.
