What is a jumper wire?

A jumper wire is a conducting wire used to transfer electrical signals between two points in a circuit. The wires can either be used to modify circuits or to diagnose problems within a circuit.

Jumper wires typically vary in color and size depending on what they are being used for. In breadboards, jump wires are used to establish connections between the central micro controller and other devices such as buttons and sensors.

If possible, the jumper wire should always be placed on the component side of a circuit board during assembly. The wires should also be routed in an X-Y manner, avoiding any bends. Jump wires should never be raised more than 1/8 of an inch above the surface of the circuit board.