The L298N is a high-voltage, high-current dual full-bridge motor driver IC manufactured by STMicroelectronics that controls the speed and direction of two DC motors or one bipolar stepper motor simultaneously. By accepting standard TTL logic level signals from a microcontroller and switching high-current motor power independently, it acts as the bridge between low-power control signals and high-power motor loads.
Pinout
The L298N breakout module exposes all connections through a single row of pins and screw terminals arranged along the bottom edge of the board, plus two motor output screw terminal blocks on the left and right sides.
Bottom pin header (left to right)
| Pin | Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | VCC | Power | Motor supply input — connect to 5V to 35V DC |
| 2 | GND | Power | Ground — common for motor supply and logic |
| 3 | 5V | Power | 5V output (from 78M05 when jumper fitted and VCC ≤ 12V) or 5V logic input (jumper removed) |
| 4 | ENA | Input | Enable for Bridge A — HIGH enables Motor A; connect PWM signal here for speed control |
| 5 | IN1 | Input | Direction control input 1 for Motor A |
| 6 | IN2 | Input | Direction control input 2 for Motor A |
| 7 | IN3 | Input | Direction control input 1 for Motor B |
| 8 | IN4 | Input | Direction control input 2 for Motor B |
| 9 | ENB | Input | Enable for Bridge B — HIGH enables Motor B; connect PWM signal here for speed control |
Motor output screw terminals (left side — Motor A)
| Terminal | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OUT1 | Motor A terminal 1 |
| 2 | OUT2 | Motor A terminal 2 |
Motor output screw terminals (right side — Motor B)
| Terminal | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | OUT3 | Motor B terminal 1 |
| 2 | OUT4 | Motor B terminal 2 |
Module construction
L298N IC A 15-lead Multiwatt through-hole package containing two complete full H-bridge circuits. All direction and enable logic, switching transistors, and current sensing resistors are integrated within this single IC.
78M05 Voltage Regulator An onboard LDO regulator that generates a stable 5V output from the motor supply voltage when the 5V jumper is fitted. Active only when VS ≤ 12V. Provides up to 500mA for powering a microcontroller or other logic circuitry directly from the motor supply.
Freewheeling Protection Diodes Eight Schottky diodes — two per motor output — that clamp back-EMF voltage spikes generated when motor windings are switched off. Prevent inductive spikes from exceeding the transistor breakdown voltage inside the L298N IC and damaging it.
Filter Capacitors Large electrolytic capacitors on the VS supply rail that absorb current surges when both H-bridges switch simultaneously at high current, preventing supply rail collapse that would otherwise cause microcontroller resets or erratic behavior.
Power Indicator LED Illuminates when the module is powered. Serves only as a power-on indicator.
Aluminium Heatsink Attached to the top of the L298N IC package. Dissipates heat generated by the internal voltage drop across the H-bridge transistors. Sufficient for moderate loads; high-current applications require additional external thermal management.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Supply | |
| Motor Supply Voltage (VS) | 5V – 35V DC |
| Logic Supply Voltage (VSS) | 4.5V – 7V |
| Onboard 5V Regulator | 78M05, up to 500mA output |
| Output | |
| Peak Output Current | 3A per channel |
| Continuous Output Current | 2A per channel |
| Internal Voltage Drop | ~2V per H-bridge |
| Total Power Dissipation | 25W (with heatsink) |
| Control | |
| PWM Speed Control | Yes (via ENA / ENB) |
| Logic Input Level | TTL (HIGH = 2.3V min, LOW = 1.5V max) |
| Number of H-Bridges | 2 |
| Motor Channels | 2 DC / 1 bipolar stepper |
| Protection | |
| Freewheeling Diodes | Yes (8 onboard Schottky diodes) |
| Thermal Shutdown | Yes (internal) |
| General | |
| Operating Temperature | −25°C to +130°C |
| IC Package | Multiwatt-15 |
| RoHS | Compliant |
Helpful resources
- Download the datasheet: here
- L298N with Arduino
- L298N with ESP32
- L298N with Raspberry pi pico