Motor direction with H-Bridge (L293D/L298N) in Arduino - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is the purpose of an H-Bridge like L293D or L298N in motor control?

An H-Bridge allows you to control the direction of a DC motor by changing the polarity of the voltage applied to it. It can make the motor spin forward or backward safely.

beginner

How do you make a motor spin forward using an H-Bridge?

You set one input pin HIGH and the other input pin LOW. This creates a voltage difference that makes the motor spin in one direction.

beginner

What happens if both input pins of the H-Bridge are set to LOW?

The motor stops because there is no voltage difference across it. This is called stopping the motor.

intermediate

Why do we need to connect the enable pin on the L293D or L298N?

The enable pin turns the motor driver channel ON or OFF. Setting it HIGH allows the motor to run; setting it LOW disables the motor output.

beginner

What is the role of the Arduino pins connected to the H-Bridge inputs?

Arduino pins send signals (HIGH or LOW) to the H-Bridge inputs to control the motor's direction and speed (if PWM is used).

Which pin configuration makes the motor spin backward using an H-Bridge?

A Input1 = LOW, Input2 = HIGH

B Input1 = HIGH, Input2 = HIGH

C Input1 = HIGH, Input2 = LOW

D Input1 = LOW, Input2 = LOW

Setting Input1 LOW and Input2 HIGH reverses the voltage polarity, making the motor spin backward.

What does setting both input pins to HIGH do to the motor?

A Motor brakes or stops

B Motor spins backward

C Motor spins forward

D Motor runs at half speed

Both inputs HIGH apply the same voltage to both motor terminals, causing the motor to brake or stop.

What is the function of the enable pin on an L293D motor driver?

A Controls motor speed by PWM

B Turns the motor driver channel ON or OFF

C Changes motor direction

D Supplies power to the motor

The enable pin activates or deactivates the motor driver channel, allowing or stopping motor operation.

Which Arduino command sets a pin to output mode?

A pinMode(pin, INPUT);

B digitalWrite(pin, HIGH);

C analogWrite(pin, 255);

D pinMode(pin, OUTPUT);

pinMode(pin, OUTPUT) configures the Arduino pin to send signals to control devices like motors.

If you want to stop the motor immediately, what should you do with the input pins?

A Set one input HIGH and the other LOW

B Set both inputs LOW

C Set both inputs HIGH

D Disconnect the motor

Setting both inputs HIGH applies the same voltage to both motor terminals, causing the motor to brake and stop immediately.

Explain how you control the direction of a DC motor using an H-Bridge like the L293D.

Think about how changing voltage direction changes motor spin.

Describe the role of the enable pin on an L293D or L298N motor driver and why it is important.

Consider how you can start or stop the motor without changing input pins.