L298N Motor Driver Board – Dual H-Bridge for DC and Stepper Motors

This L298N Motor Driver Board makes it easy to control DC motors and stepper motors using an Arduino, ESP32, Raspberry Pi, microcontroller or another digital control system.

The module is built around the well-known L298N Dual H-Bridge motor driver. Thanks to its two integrated H-bridges, you can independently control two standard brushed DC motors, including their direction of rotation and speed. The module can also be used to control one bipolar stepper motor.

According to the specifications of this module, the motor supply voltage can range from 5 to 35 V DC. The logic operates at 5 V. The L298N supports a current of up to 2 A per channel under suitable conditions. Adequate cooling is important at higher loads.

Suitable for DC motors

The L298N is not only intended for stepper motors. The board is also highly suitable for controlling standard brushed DC motors.

One module can independently control up to two DC motors:

• Motor A via OUT1 and OUT2
• Motor B via OUT3 and OUT4

The digital inputs are used to determine the direction of rotation of each motor. A PWM signal can also be applied to the ENA and ENB connections to control motor speed.

This enables functions including:

• Run the motor forward
• Run the motor in reverse
• Stop the motor
• Electrical braking
• Control speed using PWM
• Control two motors independently

This makes the module suitable for applications including robot cars, vehicles, small machines, actuators, fans and other projects using DC motors.

Suitable for stepper motors

The two H-bridges can also be used together to control a bipolar stepper motor. The four motor outputs OUT1 through OUT4 are connected to the two coils of the stepper motor.

The sequence in which IN1 through IN4 are controlled determines the direction of rotation and stepping pattern.

Speed control using PWM

For DC motors, the speed can be controlled using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

To do this, remove the jumpers from ENA and/or ENB and connect these pins to a PWM output of the microcontroller.

• ENA: enable/PWM for motor A
• ENB: enable/PWM for motor B

If the corresponding jumper remains installed, the channel is continuously enabled and the motor can be controlled through the IN pins without a separate PWM signal.

Connections

Power supply

Motor supply / VS
Connection for the motor supply voltage.

GND
Common ground for both power and control. The GND of the microcontroller and the motor driver must be connected together.

5V
5 V connection for the logic section of the module. Depending on the configuration of the 5 V regulator and jumper, this connection can function as either a power input or output.

Motor A

OUT1 / OUT2
Output of H-bridge A. DC motor A is connected here.

IN1 / IN2
Digital control inputs used to determine the direction of rotation of motor A.

ENA
Enable input for motor A. Can also be used for PWM speed control.

Motor B

OUT3 / OUT4
Output of H-bridge B. DC motor B is connected here.

IN3 / IN4
Digital control inputs used to determine the direction of rotation of motor B.

ENB
Enable input for motor B. Can also be used for PWM speed control.

Controlling a DC motor

The actual direction of rotation depends on how the two motor wires are connected to OUT1 and OUT2.

Motor B is controlled in the same way using IN3, IN4 and ENB.

Technical specifications

• Type: L298N Motor Driver Board
• Driver IC: L298N
• Driver technology: Dual H-Bridge / Dual Full Bridge
• Suitable for: brushed DC motors and bipolar stepper motors
• Number of DC motors: up to 2 independently controlled motors
• Number of bipolar stepper motors: up to 1
• Logic supply voltage: 5 V DC
• Module motor supply voltage: 5 – 35 V DC
• Maximum specified motor current: 2 A
• Control: digital logic
• DC motor speed control: PWM via ENA and ENB
• Direction control: yes
• Dual H-bridge: yes
• Heat sink: yes
• Motor outputs: OUT1, OUT2, OUT3 and OUT4
• Control inputs: IN1, IN2, IN3 and IN4
• Enable inputs: ENA and ENB
• Dimensions: approx. 43 × 43 × 27 mm
• Length: 43 mm
• Width: 43 mm
• Height: 27 mm
• PCB colour: red

L298N driver

The L298N used on this module is a dual full-bridge driver specifically designed for switching inductive loads such as DC motors, stepper motors, relays and solenoids. According to the manufacturer, the L298 itself supports a motor supply voltage of up to 46 V and includes thermal protection.

For this complete module, a motor supply voltage of 5 to 35 V DC is specified.

Important information about motor current

The specified maximum current of 2 A should be regarded as a maximum driver rating. At higher continuous motor currents, the L298N generates considerable heat. The practically usable continuous current therefore depends on factors such as supply voltage, cooling, ambient temperature and load.

Also check not only the nominal current of a DC motor, but also its startup current and stall current. These can be several times higher than the current drawn during normal operation.

Voltage drop across the driver

The L298N uses bipolar output transistors and therefore has a larger voltage drop than modern MOSFET motor drivers. As a result, the actual voltage reaching the motor is lower than the applied supply voltage.

This is particularly relevant for low-voltage motors. For applications where very high efficiency or minimal voltage loss is important, a modern MOSFET motor driver may be a better choice.

Applications

• Arduino projects
• ESP32 projects
• Robot cars
• Robotics
• Two-wheel drive systems
• DC motor control
• PWM motor control
• Reversible motors
• Bipolar stepper motors
• Small machines and mechanisms
• Prototype and hobby electronics
• Educational projects
• Automation projects

Dimensions

• Length: 4.3 cm
• Width: 4.3 cm
• Height: 2.7 cm

Summary

The L298N Motor Driver Board is a versatile dual H-bridge for controlling both standard DC motors and stepper motors. One module can independently drive two DC motors forwards and backwards while also allowing their speed to be controlled using PWM. Alternatively, both H-bridges can be used together to control one bipolar stepper motor.

Thanks to its simple digital control interface, this module is highly suitable for use with Arduino, ESP32 and other microcontrollers.