L298N motor driver: specs and pinout
Dual full-bridge motor driver IC for DC motors and two-phase stepper motors, with a motor supply up to 46 V.
Specs
| Spec | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Operating supply voltage VS | up to 46 V | source Features (p.1) |
| Absolute maximum VS | 50 V | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
| Logic supply VSS (absolute maximum) | 7 V | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
| Total DC output current | up to 4 A | source Features (p.1) |
| Peak output current per channel, non-repetitive | 3 A (t = 100 us) | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
| Peak output current per channel, repetitive | 2.5 A (80 % on, 20 % off, ton = 10 ms) | source Absolute Maximum Ratings (p.2) |
| Thermal resistance junction-case | 3 C/W max | source Thermal Data (p.2) |
| Thermal resistance junction-ambient | 35 C/W | source Thermal Data (p.2) |
Power
| Value | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Supply | VS up to 46 V (motor); VSS logic 5 V in test conditions (7 V absolute maximum) | source Electrical Characteristics (p.3) |
| Current | Quiescent supply current is in the datasheet test table; no typical figure is given here. | source Electrical Characteristics (p.3) |
Chip pins
These are the pins of the chip on the module, from the chip datasheet. The module's own header may label or expose them differently. Module header labels come from the Compoden listing, not an official module schematic.
| Pin | Function | Voltage | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VS | Supply voltage for the power output stages; 100 nF non-inductive capacitor to ground | Operative VIH + 2.5 V to 46 V; absolute max 50 V | The module '12V' terminal is a board label; the 6-46 V claim is the listing's. The on-board 5 V regulator limit is a board fact not in the chip datasheet. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
| VSS | Supply voltage for the logic blocks; 100 nF capacitor to ground | 4.5-7 V (5 V typ); absolute max 7 V | Module '5V' label is assumed to relate to this pin by role only. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
| GND | Ground | 0 V | source Pin Functions (p.3) | |
| Input 1, Input 2 | TTL-compatible inputs of bridge A | VIL -0.3 to 1.5 V; VIH 2.3 V to VSS; absolute max -0.3 to 7 V | Chip thresholds accept 3.3 V logic when VSS = 5 V; module-level shifting is not documented. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
| Input 3, Input 4 | TTL-compatible inputs of bridge B | VIL -0.3 to 1.5 V; VIH 2.3 V to VSS; absolute max -0.3 to 7 V | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings | |
| Enable A, Enable B | TTL-compatible enable inputs: L state disables the bridge | Low -0.3 to 1.5 V; high 2.3 V to VSS; absolute max -0.3 to 7 V | Listing: remove the ENA/ENB jumpers to PWM them. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
| Out 1, Out 2 | Outputs of bridge A; the load connects between them | Total voltage drop 1.8 V typ, 3.2 V max at 1 A; 4.9 V max at 2 A | Peak 3 A non-repetitive (100 us), 2.5 A repetitive, 2 A DC per channel. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
| Out 3, Out 4 | Outputs of bridge B; the load connects between them | Total voltage drop 1.8 V typ, 3.2 V max at 1 A; 4.9 V max at 2 A | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3) | |
| Sense A, Sense B | Sense resistor to ground sets/monitors the load current | Sensing voltage -1 to 2.3 V (absolute max); -1 to 2 V (electrical) | Many modules ground these; not documented officially. | source Pin Functions (p.3); Electrical Characteristics (p.3); Absolute Maximum Ratings |
Common mistakes
- Exceeding the 7 V logic supply: the VSS absolute maximum is 7 V (source)
- Driving a channel above 3 A peak: the non-repetitive peak is 3 A (100 us) and the repetitive peak is 2.5 A (source)
- Assuming 4 A per channel: the features list gives up to 4 A total DC for the device (source)
What we could not confirm
- Module 5 V regulator and board limit (about 12 V with regulator enabled) are board facts; not in the chip datasheet.
- Minimum motor supply (6 V on listing) is not confirmed by the datasheet table.
- Continuous current per channel is not given as a single figure here.
- Module pinout (GND, OUT1-OUT4) is not covered by the chip datasheet.
- Pin rows are the ST L298 chip pins; the module's screw terminals (listing: 12V input, 5V pin, GND) and the 5V regulator jumper are board facts with no official source. The listing's 'Control Interface 6 pins: IN1-IN4, ENA, ENB' matches the chip's Input 1-4 and Enable A/B.
- Listing 'Motor Supply 6V - 46V' vs datasheet 'VS from VIH + 2.5 V to 46 V' (minimum not a fixed 6 V); and the module's regulator-enabled limit (about 12 V) is unsourced. Listing 'Logic Supply 5V' agrees with VSS typical 5 V.
Sources
- link (STMicroelectronics L298)
- Copy of the STMicroelectronics datasheet hosted by a hosted copy: link
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