L298N Motor Driver Module: Features, Circuit, and Comparisons

The L298N Motor Driver Module is a cornerstone component for controlling DC motors and stepper motors in DIY robotics and electronics projects. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know—from pin configuration to real-world applications and how it compares to modern alternatives like L293D, DRV8833, and TB6612FNG.

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🔍 What is the L298N Motor Driver Module?

The L298N module is a dual H-Bridge motor driver that allows you to control the speed and direction of two DC motors or one stepper motor. It is based on the L298N IC, a 15-pin high-voltage, high-current dual full-bridge driver designed to drive inductive loads.

It’s widely used in:

• DIY Robots
• Line-following Cars
• Automated Vehicles
• Smart Cars and Arduino Projects

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⚙️ Features of the L298N Motor Driver

Feature	Specification
Operating Voltage	5V to 35V
Logic Voltage	5V
Max Current per Channel	2A
Total Power Dissipation	25W (with heat sink)
Motor Channels	2 (can drive 2 DC or 1 stepper)
Built-in Diodes	Yes (for back EMF protection)
PWM Control	Yes
Heat Sink	Yes

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🧠 Understanding How L298N Works

The L298N uses H-Bridge logic to control motor direction. An H-Bridge is a circuit that enables a voltage to be applied across a load in either direction.

• IN1 & IN2 control Motor A
• IN3 & IN4 control Motor B
• EN_A and EN_B are used for speed control (can connect to PWM pins of Arduino)

Working Principle:

• IN1 HIGH & IN2 LOW → Motor A rotates forward
• IN1 LOW & IN2 HIGH → Motor A rotates backward
• ENA PWM signal → controls motor speed using Arduino analogWrite() function

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📌 L298N Module Pinout

Here’s a simple breakdown of the pins:

Pin Name	Function
IN1, IN2	Motor A Direction Control
IN3, IN4	Motor B Direction Control
ENA, ENB	Enable Pins (Speed via PWM)
OUT1, OUT2	Motor A Output
OUT3, OUT4	Motor B Output
VCC	Motor Voltage (up to 35V)
GND	Ground
5V	Logic Supply (internal regulator if jumper used)

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🔌 Circuit Diagram

Simple Arduino + L298N + 2 DC Motors Circuit:

rustCopyEditArduino      ->    L298N
---------------------------
D9           ->    ENA
D8           ->    IN1
D7           ->    IN2
D6           ->    IN3
D5           ->    IN4
D3           ->    ENB
+12V Battery ->    VCC
GND          ->    GND

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🛠️ How to Connect and Use L298N with Arduino

Required Components:

• L298N Module
• Arduino Uno/Nano
• Jumper wires
• DC Motors
• Power Supply (12V battery or adapter)

Code Example:

cppCopyEditint in1 = 8;
int in2 = 7;
int ena = 9;

void setup() {
  pinMode(in1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ena, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
  analogWrite(ena, 200); // Speed control (0-255)
  delay(2000);

  digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
  analogWrite(ena, 200);
  delay(2000);
}

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📦 Applications of L298N

• Line Following Robots
• Obstacle Avoidance Cars
• Automated Vehicles
• DIY Arduino Cars
• CNC Machines (low power)
• Smart Home Projects

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🔄 Comparison: L298N vs Other Motor Drivers

Let’s compare the L298N with popular alternatives to see where it stands:

1. L298N vs L293D

Feature	L298N	L293D
Max Current	2A per channel	600mA per channel
Voltage Range	5V–35V	4.5V–36V
Heat Sink	Yes	No
PWM Supported	Yes	Yes
Back EMF Diodes	Built-in	Built-in
Size	Larger	Compact
Cost	Affordable	Cheaper

Verdict: L298N is better for high current motors; L293D for smaller projects.

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2. L298N vs TB6612FNG

Feature	L298N	TB6612FNG
Max Current	2A	1.2A (3.2A peak)
Efficiency	Low (more heat)	High
Voltage Drop	~2V	~0.5V
Size	Larger	Compact
Heat Sink	Required	Not required

Verdict: TB6612FNG is more efficient and better suited for battery-powered projects.

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3. L298N vs DRV8833

Feature	L298N	DRV8833
Voltage Range	5V–35V	2.7V–10.8V
Max Current	2A	1.5A
PWM	Yes	Yes
Size	Larger	Compact
Efficiency	Low	High

Verdict: DRV8833 is more suitable for low-voltage applications with better efficiency.

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📈 Pros and Cons of L298N

✅ Pros:

• Easy to use with Arduino
• Can control two motors independently
• Integrated heat sink
• Can power motors up to 35V
• Built-in diodes for protection

❌ Cons:

• Large voltage drop (not energy efficient)
• Bulky size
• Generates heat (requires heat sink)
• Less efficient than modern ICs

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🤖 Ideal Use Cases for L298N

• School and college robotics projects
• Beginner-level Arduino motor control
• Budget DIY electronics
• Projects with external power supply (not battery-based)

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can L298N drive stepper motors?

Yes, it can drive unipolar and bipolar stepper motors by controlling multiple pins.

Q2: Does it support PWM speed control?

Yes, ENA and ENB pins support PWM input to vary motor speed.

Q3: Is L298N suitable for battery-powered robots?

Not ideal. Due to high voltage drop and heat dissipation, it’s not battery-efficient. Use TB6612FNG or DRV8833 instead.

Q4: How much current can it handle?

Up to 2A per channel with a proper heat sink. Avoid pushing to the limit continuously.

Q5: Can I power the Arduino from L298N?

Only if using a 12V supply and removing the 5V jumper. But it’s safer to power Arduino separately.

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📝 Conclusion

The L298N Motor Driver Module is a reliable and affordable solution for controlling motors in beginner to intermediate DIY projects. Though not the most efficient or compact, its robustness and ease of integration with Arduino make it a go-to choice for many hobbyists.

However, for advanced or battery-powered applications, modern alternatives like TB6612FNG or DRV8833 are recommended due to higher efficiency and compact size.