L298N Motor Driver Datasheet | H Bridge Arduino

How to Use TB6612FNG H-Bridge Motor Driver | TB6612FNG Better Than L298N?

L298N

The L298N is a handy motor driver you’ll often find useful, especially if you’re into building robots or automation projects. You can easily use it to control two DC motors simultaneously, or even a single bipolar stepper motor. One great thing about this driver is its broad voltage range—you can run it anywhere from 4.5 volts up to 46 volts, which covers most hobbyist needs.

Each channel comfortably provides up to 2A of continuous current, peaking at 3A, so you’ve got plenty of power for slightly bigger motors. What’s really nice about the L298N is the built-in protection against overheating and short-circuits—it saves you from damaging your setup. Plus, it’s friendly with both TTL and CMOS logic, making it super easy to hook up to microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi.

With PWM support, you also get precise control over your motor speed and direction, which is perfect for detailed projects.

L298N Pinout

Here’s the pinout for the L298N motor driver IC presented clearly in a table:

Pinout Usage and Precautions:

L298N Equivalent

L298N Equivalent Pinout

Here’s a table comparing L298N with equivalent motor driver ICs in the same or similar packaging:

When looking for a replacement for your L298N motor driver, always pick something that meets your specific voltage and current needs. Options like the L293D or SN754410 might seem similar, but keep in mind they handle lower currents and narrower voltage ranges. If you’re running powerful motors, consider something like the VNH2SP30—it offers higher current capability, built-in MOSFETs, and you won’t need external diodes. Most importantly, always check that your replacement is compatible with your existing logic setup and can handle heat well. This ensures your motors run smoothly and safely, avoiding overheating issues.

l298n motor driver Arduino  &  l298n wiring diagram

l298n dual h bridge

L298N Dual H-Bridge Overview：

If you’re building projects with motors, the L298N motor driver is super handy. It lets you easily control two DC motors at once or even a stepper motor. One reason you’ll find it useful is how durable it is—it can handle a lot of use without issues. Plus, hooking it up to microcontrollers like Arduino or Raspberry Pi is straightforward, making your life much easier when setting up your robotics or automation projects.

Working Principle:

Using an H-bridge setup is a simple and effective way to control your DC motor in both directions. Basically, by switching the voltage polarity on the motor terminals, you can make the motor spin forward, backward, or stop completely. And if you use PWM signals on the enable pins, you’ll have precise control over the speed, letting you fine-tune how fast your motor runs for your projects.

l298n vs l293d

Here’s a detailed comparison of the L298N and L293D motor driver ICs, highlighting the important parameters:

Summary and Precautions for Replacement:

If you’re working on a higher power project, the L298N is your go-to driver. It handles higher voltages (up to 46V) and can handle more current (2A per channel, 3A peak), which makes it perfect for larger motors that need more power and torque. Just keep in mind that it doesn’t come with internal diodes for flyback protection, so you’ll need to add external diodes for motor protection.

On the other hand, the L293D is better suited for smaller motors or lighter loads. It supports lower voltages (up to 36V) and lower current (0.6A per channel). Plus, it has internal diodes for flyback protection, which means you don’t have to worry about adding extra components for motor safety.

When switching between these two, make sure the voltage and current match your needs. If you’re using higher-power motors, go with the L298N. For smaller, low-power projects, the L293D can save you some money.

How to connect l298n to raspberry pi

To get your L298N motor driver working with a Raspberry Pi, just follow these easy steps:

1. Power Supply:
   • Connect the 12V+ (Vs) pin of the L298N to an external power supply.
   • Make sure to connect the GND of the L298N to the GND of both the Raspberry Pi and the external power supply.

2. Motor Connections:
   • Hook up OUT1 and OUT2 to the terminals of Motor 1.
   • Connect OUT3 and OUT4 to Motor 2.

3. GPIO Connections:
   • Connect IN1 and IN2 for Motor 1 to Raspberry Pi’s GPIO pins (like GPIO17 and GPIO27).
   • For Motor 2, connect IN3 and IN4 to GPIO pins (for example, GPIO22 and GPIO23).
   • Plug ENA and ENB into 5V for constant power, or use GPIO pins for PWM speed control.

4. Control Motor Directions:
   Use the Python GPIO library with commands like GPIO.output(IN1, GPIO.HIGH) to set the motor’s direction (forward or backward).

l298n stepper motor control

The L298N motor driver is commonly used for controlling stepper motors, especially in robotics and automation projects. Here’s a simple explanation of how it works:

1. Motor Connections: A stepper motor usually has four wires that you’ll connect to the L298N’s output terminals (OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4). These connections control the rotation of the stepper motor.

2. Control Signals: The L298N has two input pins (IN1, IN2, IN3, IN4) for each of the motor coils. By sending different combinations of HIGH and LOW signals to these pins, you can control the motor’s direction and steps, making it move precisely.

3. PWM for Speed Control: The L298N also has Enable pins (ENA, ENB) that let you use PWM signals to control how fast the motor turns. By adjusting the PWM signal’s duty cycle, you can control the motor’s speed.

4. Power Supply: You’ll need an external power supply for the stepper motor (usually 12V), while the L298N logic side works on 5V, which can be powered by an Arduino or other microcontroller.

How l298n works​

The L298N is basically a dual H-Bridge motor driver, and it’s pretty useful when you want to control motors, especially DC motors or steppers. Think of it as having two separate H-bridge circuits inside, and each one can drive a single motor. Usually, you’d connect it to a microcontroller like an Arduino, and then use signals from there to set both the speed (using PWM) and direction (by changing the input signals on the H-bridges). It also has its own power and ground pins specifically for the motors, so your motors get enough juice without stressing your microcontroller. You’ll see this chip pop up a lot in DIY robotics or automation projects because it makes handling motors super straightforward.