L358 Low-Voltage DC Motor Driver
Description
The L358 is an integrated circuit designed to drive small DC motors. It features two independent H-bridges, each capable of delivering up to 1.5A of continuous current and 2.5A of peak current. The L358 is widely used in hobbyist and educational projects, as well as in industrial applications.
Key Features
* Dual H-bridge motor driver
* Continuous current: 1.5A per channel
* Peak current: 2.5A per channel
* Low voltage operation: 4.5V to 36V
* Logic level inputs (0-5V)
* Over-current and over-temperature protection
Pinout
| Pin | Name | Description |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | IN1 | Input for H-bridge 1, controls direction |
| 2 | IN2 | Input for H-bridge 1, controls direction |
| 3 | OUT1 | Output for H-bridge 1, connects to motor |
| 4 | GND | Ground reference |
| 5 | OUT2 | Output for H-bridge 2, connects to motor |
| 6 | IN3 | Input for H-bridge 2, controls direction |
| 7 | IN4 | Input for H-bridge 2, controls direction |
| 8 | VCC | Power supply for the IC |
Operation
The L358 operates by receiving control signals on its input pins (IN1-IN4) to determine the direction and speed of the motors. When a logic high (5V) is applied to an input pin, the corresponding H-bridge is enabled and the motor rotates in one direction. When a logic low (0V) is applied, the H-bridge is disabled and the motor stops.
The speed of the motor can be controlled by using pulse-width modulation (PWM) signals on the input pins. By varying the duty cycle of the PWM signal, the average voltage applied to the motor can be changed, resulting in different speeds.
Applications
The L358 is commonly used in applications such as:
* Driving small DC motors in robots, toys, and other devices
* Controlling the speed and direction of pumps, fans, and other actuators
* Creating custom motor controllers for industrial automation
* Educational projects involving motor control
Alternatives
Some alternatives to the L358 include:
* L298N: Dual H-bridge motor driver with higher current capacity (2A continuous, 3A peak)
* DRV8833: Single H-bridge motor driver with microstepping support
* A4988: Microstepping motor driver with integrated current sensing
