Electro-Fashion: Conductive thread (45m or 250m)

Conductive thread can be used like conventional sewing thread, however it electrically conducts allowing electronics to be integrated into textiles. 

 (Click here for our  full selection of the BBC micro:bit +  essential accessories/add-ons)

This is Kitronik's very own Electro-Fashion® branded Conductive Thread and we think it is among the best conductive thread available. It is perfect for hand sewing and can also be used on the bottom bobbin of a sewing machine (this will require the thread to be wound on to the smaller bottom bobbin first).

Conductive thread can be used like conventional sewing yarn, however it electrically conducts allowing electronics to be integrated into textiles. This makes it ideal for use in a range of e-textile applications.

 
On conductive thread (3 minutes)

The thread is nano plated with silver to make it conductive. The conductive thread has a low resistance of approximately 40 Ohms per metre. This allows LEDs to be powered over quite large distances. Resistance does not vary significantly from one length of thread to the next, so you should be able to use this thread without concern for "dead" sections.

The conductive thread has a breaking strain of around 9.3 pounds (4.2 kilos). It comprises roughly 96 individual filaments, each coated with a micron-thick layer of natural silver. This plating of the yarn is done in Europe to ensure as high a quality finish as possible. In construction, 16 of these filaments are wound together to form an initial twist; two of these twists are then twisted together, and finally three of these twists are combined to form the finished thread. The conductive thread is approximately 18 denier. It is heavier than a regular sewing thread, but not as heavy as an upholstery thread. It can be sewn on most domestic sewing machines using either a regular needle or the next size up. This thread does not fray.

Features:

• No (or very low) fray.
• Conductivity = approximately 40Ω per metre.
• Count = 875 dTex.
• Strength 3000 cN.
• Elongation at break = 37%.
• Twist = 240Z-380S.

Contents:

• 1 x Reel Electro-Fashion®, Conductive Thread,  45m. or 250m

Resources:

• Datasheet.
• E-Textiles Tutorials & Resources.
• More E-Textiles Tutorials/video by Julie Boyd

See these tutorials from the E-Textiles Tutorial section:

• BBC micro:bit emoji bag.
• BBC micro:bit rocket themed countdown pencil case.