ComponentsMaker Modules

Motor Driver Module

Module

An H-bridge based module that lets a microcontroller control the speed and direction of DC motors or stepper motors. Handles the high current a motor needs while protecting the logic side with opto or transistor isolation.

What it looks like

Motor Driver Module

A typical module — exact shape, colour and markings vary between manufacturers.

Types & variants

L298N (old, dual H-bridge, 2A/ch, 46V, drops ~2V as heat)TB6612FNG (modern, dual H-bridge, 1.2A/ch, 15V, MOSFET output, efficient)DRV8833 (low-voltage, 1.2A/ch, 10.8V, great for toys)DRV8871 (high current, 3.6A peak, fault reporting)A4988 / DRV8825 (stepper motor drivers, current limiting)TMC2209 (silent stepper driver, UART configurable)BTS7960 (43A H-bridge for big motors)

Key specs

Operating voltage

V

Logic: 3.3–5V. Motor supply: 5–46V (L298N), 4.5–13.5V (TB6612), 8–35V (BTS7960).

Output current

A

Per channel continuous. L298N: 2A (peak 3A). TB6612: 1.2A (3A peak). BTS7960: 43A peak.

Channels

—

2 channels = 2 DC motors or 1 stepper (4-wire). Single H-bridge = 1 motor bidirectional.

PWM frequency

kHz

Up to 100kHz typical. Use 20kHz+ to avoid audible whine.

Dropout voltage

V

L298N: ~1.8V at 1A (wasted as heat). MOSFET drivers (TB6612): <0.5V.

Markings

IC part number on the chip (L298N, TB6612FNG, DRV8833). Module name on silkscreen. Terminal labels: OUT1, OUT2, OUT3, OUT4 (motor outputs); IN1-IN4 (logic inputs); ENA, ENB (PWM speed); VCC, GND, +12V (power).

Standard values

Common modules: L298N red board (2 motors, 5V regulator built in), TB6612 breakout (compact), A4988 stepper driver (Pololu red board), DRV8871 (high current).

How to choose

1) Match motor voltage to driver max voltage (allow headroom). 2) Pick driver current ≥ motor stall current × 1.5. 3) For battery toys, use MOSFET-based (TB6612, DRV8833) — no L298N voltage drop. 4) For steppers, use A4988/TMC2209 with current limiting. 5) Add heatsink for >1A continuous. 6) For silent stepper, use TMC2209.

Pinout & package

PCB with screw terminals for motor + power. Male header for logic (IN1-IN4, ENA, ENB, VCC, GND). L298N module has on-board 5V regulator (jumper enables it to power MCU). Stepper drivers (A4988): 16-pin, plug into carrier board with DIR/STEP/EN pins.

Example circuits

  • L298N + Arduino controlling 2 DC motors of a robot car (PWM speed, DIR pins)
  • TB6612 + ESP32 for a balanced robot (efficient, low voltage drop)
  • A4988 + Arduino driving a NEMA17 stepper for a 3D printer axis
  • TMC2209 + RAMPS for silent 3D printer movement
  • BTS7960 + Arduino controlling a 24V winch motor (high current)

Common failures

L298N overheats at >1.5A without heatsink — brown-out resets MCU. Inductive kickback destroys output transistors if flyback diodes omitted (most modules include them). Wrong wiring (motor supply to logic supply) instantly fries the chip. Exceeding voltage rating pops the IC.

How to test

Power motor supply + logic. Tie ENA HIGH (or apply PWM). Set IN1=HIGH, IN2=LOW → motor spins one way; reverse for opposite. For stepper (A4988): set DIR, pulse STEP → motor moves one step per pulse. Measure motor voltage with no load to confirm driver output.

Substitutes

Discrete MOSFET H-bridge (DIY, complex). Relay + limit switch (crude on/off, no speed control). Servo motor (driver built in). Brushless ESC (for BLDC motors).

Where to buy

DigiKeyMouserLCSCRobuAmazon