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L298N Motor Driver Module – 2A Dual Channel

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Ekostra Electronics

April 10, 2025

On April 4, 2025

L298N Motor Driver Module

2A Dual Channel H-Bridge for DC and Stepper Motors

Introduction

The L298N is a high-voltage, high-current dual full-bridge driver designed to control inductive loads like DC motors and stepper motors. This module can drive two DC motors bidirectionally or one stepper motor with up to 2A per channel.

Key Features

⚡ High Power

2A continuous current per channel

🔄 Bidirectional

Full control of two DC motors

🔌 Wide Voltage

5V-35V operating range

📶 Multiple Control

PWM speed + direction control

Technical Specifications

Driver IC	L298N Dual H-Bridge
Operating Voltage	5V – 35V DC
Peak Current	3A per channel (2A continuous)
Logic Voltage	5V (compatible with 3.3V MCUs)
PWM Frequency	Up to 25kHz
Power Dissipation	25W (with heatsink)
Control Signals	TTL/CMOS compatible
Dimensions	43mm × 43mm × 27mm

Pin Configuration

Terminal	Function	Connection
+12V	Motor Power (5-35V)	Battery positive
GND	Ground	Battery negative
+5V	Logic Power (optional)	5V (if jumper removed)
ENA	Channel A Enable	PWM capable pin
IN1/IN2	Channel A Control	Digital pins
IN3/IN4	Channel B Control	Digital pins
ENB	Channel B Enable	PWM capable pin
OUT1/OUT2	Channel A Motor	Motor A terminals
OUT3/OUT4	Channel B Motor	Motor B terminals

Note: Keep the jumper on +5V terminal if using the onboard 5V regulator

Wiring Diagrams

Dual DC Motor Control

// Connections:
// +12V → Battery positive (7V-35V)
// GND → Battery negative
// ENA → D9 (PWM)
// IN1 → D8
// IN2 → D7
// ENB → D10 (PWM)
// IN3 → D6
// IN4 → D5
// OUT1/OUT2 → Motor A
// OUT3/OUT4 → Motor B

// Connections:

// +12V → Battery positive (7V-35V)

// GND → Battery negative

// ENA → D9 (PWM)

// IN1 → D8

// IN2 → D7

// ENB → D10 (PWM)

// IN3 → D6

// IN4 → D5

// OUT1/OUT2 → Motor A

// OUT3/OUT4 → Motor B

Stepper Motor Control

// Connections for 4-wire bipolar stepper:
// +12V → Appropriate voltage for stepper
// OUT1 → Coil 1+
// OUT2 → Coil 1-
// OUT3 → Coil 2+
// OUT4 → Coil 2-
// ENA & ENB → Always HIGH (jumper in place)

// Connections for 4-wire bipolar stepper:

// +12V → Appropriate voltage for stepper

// OUT1 → Coil 1+

// OUT2 → Coil 1-

// OUT3 → Coil 2+

// OUT4 → Coil 2-

// ENA & ENB → Always HIGH (jumper in place)

Basic DC Motor Control

// Motor A connections
const int enA = 9;
const int in1 = 8;
const int in2 = 7;

void setup() {
  pinMode(enA, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in2, OUTPUT);
  
  // Initial state - motor off
  digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
}

void loop() {
  // Rotate clockwise at full speed
  digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
  analogWrite(enA, 255); // Full speed
  delay(2000);
  
  // Rotate counter-clockwise at half speed
  digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
  analogWrite(enA, 128); // Half speed
  delay(2000);
  
  // Motor brake
  digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  
  // Motor stop
  digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

// Motor A connections

const int enA = 9;

const int in1 = 8;

const int in2 = 7;

void setup() {

pinMode(enA, OUTPUT);

pinMode(in1, OUTPUT);

pinMode(in2, OUTPUT);

// Initial state - motor off

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

}

void loop() {

// Rotate clockwise at full speed

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

analogWrite(enA, 255); // Full speed

delay(2000);

// Rotate counter-clockwise at half speed

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

analogWrite(enA, 128); // Half speed

delay(2000);

// Motor brake

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

delay(1000);

// Motor stop

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

delay(1000);

}

Stepper Motor Control

const int stepsPerRevolution = 200; // Change for your stepper
const int in1 = 8, in2 = 7, in3 = 6, in4 = 5;
int stepDelay = 5; // ms between steps

void stepMotor(int step) {
  switch(step) {
    case 0:  // 1000
      digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in4, LOW);
      break;
    case 1:  // 1100
      digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in4, LOW);
      break;
    case 2:  // 0100
      digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in4, LOW);
      break;
    case 3:  // 0110
      digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in4, LOW);
      break;
    case 4:  // 0010
      digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in4, LOW);
      break;
    case 5:  // 0011
      digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);
      break;
    case 6:  // 0001
      digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);
      break;
    case 7:  // 1001
      digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);
      break;
  }
}

void setup() {
  pinMode(in1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(in4, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Rotate CW
  for(int i=0; i<stepsPerRevolution; i++) { stepMotor(i % 8); delay(stepDelay); } delay(1000); // Rotate CCW for(int i=stepsPerRevolution; i>0; i--) {
    stepMotor(i % 8);
    delay(stepDelay);
  }
  
  delay(1000);
}

const int stepsPerRevolution = 200; // Change for your stepper

const int in1 = 8, in2 = 7, in3 = 6, in4 = 5;

int stepDelay = 5; // ms between steps

void stepMotor(int step) {

switch(step) {

case 0: // 1000

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

digitalWrite(in3, LOW);

digitalWrite(in4, LOW);

break;

case 1: // 1100

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in3, LOW);

digitalWrite(in4, LOW);

break;

case 2: // 0100

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in3, LOW);

digitalWrite(in4, LOW);

break;

case 3: // 0110

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in4, LOW);

break;

case 4: // 0010

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in4, LOW);

break;

case 5: // 0011

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

digitalWrite(in3, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);

break;

case 6: // 0001

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

digitalWrite(in3, LOW);

digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);

break;

case 7: // 1001

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

digitalWrite(in3, LOW);

digitalWrite(in4, HIGH);

break;

}

void setup() {

pinMode(in1, OUTPUT);

pinMode(in2, OUTPUT);

pinMode(in3, OUTPUT);

pinMode(in4, OUTPUT);

}

void loop() {

// Rotate CW

for(int i=0; i<stepsPerRevolution; i++) { stepMotor(i % 8); delay(stepDelay); } delay(1000); // Rotate CCW for(int i=stepsPerRevolution; i>0; i--) {

stepMotor(i % 8);

delay(stepDelay);

}

delay(1000);

}

Tip: For better performance, use the AccelStepper library instead of manual stepping

Advanced Features

Current Sensing

float readCurrent(int sensorPin) {
  int rawValue = analogRead(sensorPin);
  float voltage = rawValue * (5.0 / 1023.0);
  float current = voltage / 0.1; // 0.1Ω sense resistor
  return current;
}

void checkOverCurrent() {
  if(readCurrent(A0) > 2.0) { // 2A threshold
    digitalWrite(enA, LOW); // Emergency stop
    Serial.println("OVER CURRENT!");
  }
}

float readCurrent(int sensorPin) {

int rawValue = analogRead(sensorPin);

float voltage = rawValue * (5.0 / 1023.0);

float current = voltage / 0.1; // 0.1Ω sense resistor

return current;

}

void checkOverCurrent() {

if(readCurrent(A0) > 2.0) { // 2A threshold

digitalWrite(enA, LOW); // Emergency stop

Serial.println("OVER CURRENT!");

}

Acceleration Control

void smoothStart(int motorPin) {
  for(int i=0; i<=255; i+=5) { analogWrite(motorPin, i); delay(50); } } void smoothStop(int motorPin) { for(int i=255; i>=0; i-=5) {
    analogWrite(motorPin, i);
    delay(50);
  }
}

void smoothStart(int motorPin) {

for(int i=0; i<=255; i+=5) { analogWrite(motorPin, i); delay(50); } } void smoothStop(int motorPin) { for(int i=255; i>=0; i-=5) {

analogWrite(motorPin, i);

delay(50);

}

Serial Control

void processSerialCommands() {
  if(Serial.available()) {
    char cmd = Serial.read();
    switch(cmd) {
      case 'F': // Forward
        digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);
        digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
        break;
      case 'B': // Backward
        digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
        digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);
        break;
      case 'S': // Stop
        digitalWrite(in1, LOW);
        digitalWrite(in2, LOW);
        break;
      case '0'...'9': // Speed 0-9
        int speed = map(cmd-'0', 0, 9, 0, 255);
        analogWrite(enA, speed);
        break;
    }
  }
}

void processSerialCommands() {

if(Serial.available()) {

char cmd = Serial.read();

switch(cmd) {

case 'F': // Forward

digitalWrite(in1, HIGH);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

break;

case 'B': // Backward

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, HIGH);

break;

case 'S': // Stop

digitalWrite(in1, LOW);

digitalWrite(in2, LOW);

break;

case '0'...'9': // Speed 0-9

int speed = map(cmd-'0', 0, 9, 0, 255);

analogWrite(enA, speed);

break;

}

Troubleshooting

Motor Not Moving

Check enable jumpers are in place
Verify motor power supply is adequate
Test with direct battery connection

Overheating

Ensure heatsink is properly attached
Reduce current draw (smaller motors)
Add cooling fan if needed

Erratic Behavior

Add 100μF capacitor across motor terminals
Separate logic and motor power supplies
Check for loose connections

Hotline 24/7

L298N Motor Driver Module – 2A Dual Channel

L298N Motor Driver Module

Introduction

Key Features

⚡ High Power

🔄 Bidirectional

🔌 Wide Voltage

📶 Multiple Control

Technical Specifications

Pin Configuration

Wiring Diagrams

Dual DC Motor Control

Stepper Motor Control

Basic DC Motor Control

Stepper Motor Control

Advanced Features

Current Sensing

Acceleration Control

Serial Control

Troubleshooting

Motor Not Moving

Overheating

Erratic Behavior

Project Ideas

Robot Platform

CNC Controller

Motorized Camera Slider

MG90S Mini Digital 180° Servo

Flex Sensor 5.6 cm (Detect Bending Motion)

Guide for HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensor Module

Guide to 5-Channel Flame Sensor Module

Get to Know Us

Shop

Useful Links

Subscribe Newsletter

Safety Payments

Hotline 24/7

L298N Motor Driver Module

Introduction

Key Features

⚡ High Power

🔄 Bidirectional

🔌 Wide Voltage

📶 Multiple Control

Technical Specifications

Pin Configuration

Wiring Diagrams

Dual DC Motor Control

Stepper Motor Control

Basic DC Motor Control

Stepper Motor Control

Advanced Features

Current Sensing

Acceleration Control

Serial Control

Troubleshooting

Motor Not Moving

Overheating

Erratic Behavior

Project Ideas

Robot Platform

CNC Controller

Motorized Camera Slider

Related Posts

MG90S Mini Digital 180° Servo

Flex Sensor 5.6 cm (Detect Bending Motion)

Guide for HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Distance Sensor Module

Guide to 5-Channel Flame Sensor Module

Get to Know Us

Shop

Useful Links

Subscribe Newsletter

Safety Payments