Motor speed control with PWM in Arduino

Introduction

We use PWM to control how fast a motor spins by changing the power it gets. This helps save energy and makes the motor work just right.

When you want to make a fan spin slower or faster.

When controlling the speed of a toy car motor.

When adjusting the brightness of a motor-driven light.

When you need smooth speed changes in a robot's wheels.

Syntax

Arduino

analogWrite(pin, value);

pin is the number of the PWM-capable pin connected to the motor.

value is a number from 0 (off) to 255 (full speed) controlling motor speed.

Examples

This sets the motor speed to about half power on pin 9.

Arduino

analogWrite(9, 128);

This runs the motor at full speed on pin 5.

Arduino

analogWrite(5, 255);

This stops the motor by sending zero power on pin 3.

Arduino

analogWrite(3, 0);

Sample Program

This program slowly increases the motor speed in steps, then slowly decreases it, repeating forever.

Arduino

const int motorPin = 9;

void setup() {
  pinMode(motorPin, OUTPUT);
}

void loop() {
  // Gradually increase speed
  for (int speed = 0; speed <= 255; speed += 51) {
    analogWrite(motorPin, speed);
    delay(1000); // wait 1 second
  }
  // Gradually decrease speed
  for (int speed = 255; speed >= 0; speed -= 51) {
    analogWrite(motorPin, speed);
    delay(1000); // wait 1 second
  }
}

Important Notes

Make sure your motor is connected to a PWM-capable pin on the Arduino (usually marked with ~).

Use a motor driver or transistor to protect your Arduino from high current.

Delay helps you see the speed changes clearly by waiting between steps.

Summary

PWM controls motor speed by changing power in quick pulses.

Use analogWrite() with values 0 to 255 to set speed.

Always connect motors safely with drivers or transistors.

Practice

1. What does PWM do in motor speed control on an Arduino?

easy

A. It changes the motor's voltage permanently.

B. It switches power on and off quickly to control speed.

C. It changes the motor's direction.

D. It measures the motor's speed.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand PWM function

   PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) controls speed by rapidly switching power on and off.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Only It switches power on and off quickly to control speed. correctly describes PWM's role in speed control, others describe different functions.

3. Final Answer:

   It switches power on and off quickly to control speed. -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   PWM controls speed by switching power on/off [OK]

Hint: PWM controls speed by fast power switching [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking PWM changes voltage permanently
• Confusing speed control with direction control
• Believing PWM measures speed

2. Which Arduino function is used to set motor speed with PWM?

easy

A. pinMode(pin, OUTPUT)

B. digitalWrite(pin, value)

C. analogWrite(pin, value)

D. delay(value)

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify PWM function

   analogWrite(pin, value) sets PWM signal on a pin with value 0-255 controlling speed.

2. Step 2: Check other functions

   digitalWrite sets HIGH/LOW only, pinMode sets pin mode, delay pauses code; none control PWM speed.

3. Final Answer:

   analogWrite(pin, value) -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Use analogWrite for PWM speed control [OK]

Hint: Use analogWrite to set PWM speed value [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using digitalWrite instead of analogWrite
• Confusing pinMode with speed control
• Trying to use delay to control speed

3. What will be the motor speed if the code runs

analogWrite(9, 128);

?

medium

A. Motor runs at full speed

B. Motor is off

C. Motor runs at double speed

D. Motor runs at about half speed

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand PWM value range

   analogWrite value ranges 0 (off) to 255 (full speed). 128 is about half of 255.

2. Step 2: Interpret speed from value

   Value 128 means roughly half the power, so motor runs at about half speed.

3. Final Answer:

   Motor runs at about half speed -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   128/255 ≈ half speed [OK]

Hint: PWM 128 means about half speed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking 128 means full speed
• Assuming motor is off at 128
• Believing speed can be doubled

4. Identify the error in this code snippet for motor speed control:

int speed = 300;
analogWrite(6, speed);

medium

A. Speed value is out of PWM range (0-255).

B. Pin 6 cannot be used for PWM.

C. analogWrite requires three arguments.

D. Variable speed must be declared as float.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check PWM value limits

   analogWrite accepts values from 0 to 255. 300 is outside this range.

2. Step 2: Verify other options

   Pin 6 supports PWM, analogWrite takes two arguments, and int is fine for speed.

3. Final Answer:

   Speed value is out of PWM range (0-255). -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   PWM value must be 0-255 [OK]

Hint: PWM values must be 0 to 255 only [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using values above 255 for PWM
• Thinking analogWrite needs 3 arguments
• Believing PWM pins are limited incorrectly

5. You want to smoothly increase motor speed from 0 to full over 5 seconds using PWM on pin 10. Which code snippet achieves this?

hard

A. for(int speed=0; speed<=255; speed++) { analogWrite(10, speed); delay(20); }

B. analogWrite(10, 255); delay(5000); analogWrite(10, 0);

C. for(int speed=255; speed>=0; speed--) { analogWrite(10, speed); delay(20); }

D. digitalWrite(10, HIGH); delay(5000); digitalWrite(10, LOW);

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand smooth speed increase

   Gradually increasing PWM value from 0 to 255 in small steps with delay creates smooth speed change.

2. Step 2: Analyze code snippets

   for(int speed=0; speed<=255; speed++) { analogWrite(10, speed); delay(20); } uses a for loop from 0 to 255 with delay(20)ms, totaling about 5 seconds. Others either jump speed or use digitalWrite which is not PWM.

3. Final Answer:

   for(int speed=0; speed<=255; speed++) { analogWrite(10, speed); delay(20); } -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Gradual PWM increase with delay = smooth speed [OK]

Hint: Use for loop with analogWrite and delay for smooth speed [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using digitalWrite instead of analogWrite
• Jumping speed without gradual steps
• Not using delay to slow speed change