Power Distribution

Reliable power distribution on a finished or prototype device can be problematic.   I have built several devices like these for projects.   I like Nanos and a Nano Breakout boards, the problem with the Nano breakout boards is when you need several +5 or ground connections for sensors, etc. the screw terminals aren't big enough.   You see a lot of things like this power distribution board on Amazon, but most are pricey.  

So I came up with this little cheapie out of my junk box.   I had purchased some of the 2 and 3 pin PCB mount screw terminals and I already had some small pieces of PCB left over from other projects.   I needed a 5 port power distribution device for ground and +5.    

The pics in the page are from the Shop Environment Server project.    

A pcb with etched busses, and a 2 and 3 wire screw terminal blocks   I bought a kit of 60 PCB mount, screw terminals for $10 for another project.

I cut off a small strip of PCB with 3 rows of pins and 9, 2.54mm, holes wide.   I soldered a 2 pin and 3 pin screw terminal blocks into the PCB, the added a piece of buss wire, soldered to all pins.

One of the power distribution devices, you can see the buss wire soldered to the pins of the screw terminal blocks.

Another look at top and bottom.   To install these, in a Nano Mount, you just need to put a piece of electrical tape to cover the bottom of the PCB.

The devices being used on a test lashup.

A little closer look at the ground buss.

And the +5 volt buss.