L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC – DIP-16 for Arduino & Robotics

L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC – DIP-16 for Arduino

Buy the L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC online in Pakistan from Robostan.pk. The L293D is a popular 16-pin integrated circuit designed to control the direction and speed of small DC motors, bipolar stepper motors, and other suitable inductive loads.

Featuring two H-bridge driver circuits, four half-H output channels, built-in clamp diodes, and separate logic and motor power supplies, the L293D is a practical choice for Arduino robotics, motor control experiments, and DIY electronics projects.

It can control two brushed DC motors independently or drive one bipolar stepper motor using suitable control signals from a microcontroller.

Key Features

• L293D dual H-bridge motor driver IC
• Four half-H driver channels
• Controls up to two small brushed DC motors
• Supports one bipolar stepper motor with suitable control logic
• Up to 600mA continuous output current per channel, subject to thermal limits
• 1.2A non-repetitive peak output current per channel
• Motor supply voltage range: 4.5V to 36V DC
• Separate logic supply, typically 5V DC
• TTL-compatible logic inputs
• Forward and reverse motor direction control
• PWM-based motor speed control through enable inputs
• Integrated output clamp diodes for inductive loads
• Independent enable controls for both driver pairs
• Through-hole DIP-16 package
• Suitable for Arduino UNO, Nano, Mega, ESP32 and compatible controllers
• Ideal for educational robotics and motor driver circuits

Technical Specifications

• Product Name: L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC
• Model: L293D
• IC Type: Quadruple Half-H Motor Driver
• Number of Full H-Bridges: 2
• Number of Half-H Channels: 4
• Motor Supply (VCC2): 4.5V to 36V DC
• Logic Supply (VCC1): 4.5V to 7V DC, nominally 5V
• Continuous Output Current: Up to 600mA per channel
• Peak Output Current: 1.2A per channel, non-repetitive
• Control Interface: Digital Logic Inputs
• Speed Control: PWM Through Enable Inputs
• Motor Direction: Bidirectional
• Output Protection: Integrated Inductive Clamp Diodes
• Package: DIP-16 / PDIP-16
• Total Pins: 16
• Typical Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to +70°C
• Applications: DC Motors, Bipolar Stepper Motors, Solenoids and Suitable Inductive Loads

Applications

• Arduino robot car projects
• Two-wheel robotics platforms
• DC motor speed and direction control
• Bipolar stepper motor control
• DIY robotic vehicles
• Educational motor driver circuits
• Microcontroller-based automation
• Electronic movement control systems
• Small motorized mechanisms
• ESP32 robotics projects
• Motorized model projects
• Embedded electronics prototyping

How Does the L293D Motor Driver Work?

The L293D Motor Driver IC contains four half-H driver channels that can be combined into two full H-bridge circuits.

An H-bridge allows a controller to change the direction of current through a DC motor. Reversing the current reverses the direction of motor rotation.

The connected microcontroller provides digital control signals to the L293D input pins. The IC uses a separate motor supply to drive the connected motors.

Each motor channel pair has an enable pin. Applying a suitable PWM signal to that pin allows basic motor speed control.

L293D Motor Control Logic

With the corresponding enable pin HIGH, a common DC motor control arrangement is:

Driving both motor terminals to the same state may produce dynamic braking, depending on the motor and circuit conditions. Setting the enable pin LOW disables the corresponding outputs.

L293D DIP-16 Pin Configuration

L293D Arduino Connection

The L293D can be connected to an Arduino UNO, Nano or Mega to control two suitable small DC motors.

For a basic two-motor setup:

• VCC1 (Pin 16): Connect to regulated 5V logic supply.
• VCC2 (Pin 8): Connect to a suitable motor power supply.
• GND (Pins 4, 5, 12, 13): Connect to common ground.
• Inputs 1A and 2A: Connect to Arduino digital control pins for Motor A.
• Inputs 3A and 4A: Connect to Arduino digital control pins for Motor B.
• EN1,2 and EN3,4: Connect to suitable control pins, including PWM-capable pins for speed control.
• Outputs 1Y and 2Y: Connect to Motor A terminals.
• Outputs 3Y and 4Y: Connect to Motor B terminals.

Use a motor supply appropriate for the actual motors and ensure that its voltage follows the manufacturer's recommended operating conditions.

Motor Speed Control Using PWM

The L293D supports basic motor speed control using pulse-width modulation (PWM).

A microcontroller can provide a PWM signal to the corresponding enable pin. Changing the PWM duty cycle changes the average voltage applied to the motor, allowing approximate speed control.

Actual motor speed depends on mechanical load, supply voltage, the driver's internal voltage drop, and motor characteristics.

Dual DC Motor Control

One L293D IC can independently control the direction of two suitably rated brushed DC motors.

This makes the IC useful for small robot vehicles where one motor drives the left wheel and another drives the right wheel.

By changing each motor's direction and PWM duty cycle, developers can implement forward movement, reverse movement and turning.

Bipolar Stepper Motor Control

The four half-H channels can also be configured to drive one small bipolar stepper motor.

A microcontroller generates the appropriate winding excitation sequence to rotate the motor in discrete steps.

Note: The L293D does not include an advanced stepper current-regulation system or microstepping controller. Use a suitable dedicated driver for motors requiring regulated winding current.

L293D vs L298N Motor Driver

• L293D: Compact 16-pin motor driver IC for lower-current motor applications, rated up to 600mA per output channel.
• L298N: A larger, higher-current dual H-bridge driver commonly supplied on ready-made motor driver boards.

The L293D is suitable for compact circuits with small motors. Higher-current applications may require a more suitable driver selected according to motor stall current, thermal performance and power requirements.

L293D vs L293

The L293D and L293 are related motor driver ICs but are not identical.

• L293D: Rated for 600mA continuous output current per channel and includes integrated output clamp diodes.
• L293: Rated for 1A continuous output current per channel but does not provide the same integrated clamp diodes.

Always check the exact IC marking and datasheet before replacing one model with another.

Important Usage Notes

• The 600mA output rating is a per-channel maximum and is subject to total device power dissipation and temperature limits.
• The 1.2A peak rating is non-repetitive and must not be treated as a continuous motor current rating.
• Check motor startup and stall current before selecting the driver.
• The internal bipolar output stage produces a significant voltage drop and heat during operation.
• Use appropriate power supply decoupling near the IC.
• Connect the motor power supply ground and controller ground together.
• Connect all four ground pins for proper operation and heat dissipation.
• Do not drive high-current motors beyond the IC's electrical and thermal limits.
• Do not connect the motor directly to Arduino GPIO pins.
• Verify the DIP-16 pin orientation before wiring.
• Use a suitable circuit design for inductive loads and motor-generated electrical noise.
• The L293D is a motor driver IC, not a complete ready-to-use motor driver board.

Package Contents

• 1 x L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC (DIP-16)

Buy L293D Motor Driver IC in Pakistan

Looking for an L293D Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver IC in Pakistan? Shop online at Robostan.pk for Arduino motor drivers, integrated circuits, electronic components, robotics parts, DC motors, stepper motors and DIY electronics supplies.

Suitable for students, engineers, hobbyists and robotics enthusiasts developing small motor-control circuits.

Order your L293D Motor Driver IC from Robostan.pk with nationwide delivery across Pakistan, including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan and other cities.

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