Hi, I'm a beginner and have got my first simple project working (well, the coding is very complex, but the electronics is straightforward). Although simple, it does contain 10 rotary encoders, 8 buttons and a potentiometer all connecting into a Mega. That means lots of wires into the breadboard, which is difficult to manage. If I could remove the breadboard, shorten the ground and 5v wires and feed them into something that connects them all together, I could neaten things without making anything permanent (I will probably be refining things later). I understand a terminal block/strip is what I'm supposed to use, but looking on Amazon, I'm completely confused as to what I need. Most of them are marked as "dual" and look like they only connect 2 wires together in each pair. Is that correct? Can someone point me to something which would allow me to connect several wires together? I'm looking for something as simple as possible.
Could you use a breadboard?
Arduino Breadboard
Or sensor shield which has many GND and Vcc pins:
MEGA Sensor Shield
Thanks, but I'm using a breadboard, and that's the source of my problem. It's bulky and there are lots of wires feeding into it. The sensor shield doesn't look like it would solve anything either as I'd still have the same number of wires. A possible solution would be to simply tie the wires together and put tape around them and have a single wire out of that going into the Mega but I'd rather have something a little more solid than that. I envisaged a small block into which I could route the wires, then have a single wire go into the board. I'd do something similar for the 5v wires. The remaining ones which go to the digital inputs would then just be shortened and neatened as far as possible.
That's asking for different problems.
How about a photo of your mess?
You could always use an empty row to make your bus connection.
I don't know what you mean by "an empty row" - an empty row on what?
So, on the pic, you'll see the breadboard I want to remove. All those wires feeding in are either ground or 5v which are consolidated on the breadboard and fed into the Mega. If I could consolidate them into a small block on my box neatly, I'd only have a couple of wires coming from there going directly into the Mega. Surely something simple exists to allow me to do that??
Hi, Been there.....
You should check out Wago and similar connectors. They are cheap, simple, and very effective. They also accommodate wires of different sizes all in the same connector.
There are spring-loaded versions that you can insert remove at will and more permanent pushwire types. Go for the spring type. they work about about 60p each for 5-way connectors.
If it were me, I would check out toolstation.com and see (for example) product code 68406
But there are many types, so you can review and select what works for you.
One of us is confused. First, I have never seen DuPont-terminated jumpers that long. Next, you have a lot of unused rows on the breadboard.
Without a schematic (not a pretty Fritzing picture. Fritzing pictures are not schematics), I am not following you saying that all those wires are either +5 or Ground. 5V and Ground already have a bus on the breadboard.
also, with many breadboards, you can more than them together to make a bigger breadboard, if that would help
then there are those little breadboard terminal block things
but it sounds like it might be time to get out the soldering iron ... ?
I seem to be confusing more than one of you so it must be the way I'm explaining it. I'm only looking for a solution for grouping the ground and 5v wires. I know the breadboard has capacity, but I want to remove it completely as it takes up too much space. The Spring Lever connectors suggested by bezelsanddisplays is the closest solution yet. It would be nice to have more than 5 terminals though I guess chaining them together would be easy. Thanks all.
Your reply gave me new search terms which unearthed a number of things, so thanks. I found this Aiqeer 10 Pcs PCT-218 Lever-Nut Wire Connectors, 8 Ports Conductor Compact Wire Connectors, Cable Clamp Terminal Block Quick Spring Connector: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools on Amazon which is close to the item you suggested but has 8 ports.
You haven't seen the quality of my soldering 
Everything can be learned with a little practice.
It isn't a bad idea though - for what I'm doing, I'd be able to get away with it being a little bit untidy - could put the grounds on one end and 5v on the other.
Wago and Automation Direct DIN rail terminal blocks are expensive.
You can use these to accomplish the same thing (minus the quick connect)
Don't buy cheap proto boards. The solder pads on cheap boards barely survive soldering.
I offer a Mega Screw Shield for problems just like this one.
http://www.crossroadsfencing.com/BobuinoRev17/
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