Product description
Motor driver based on the Texas Instruments DRV8833 for controlling two brushed DC motors or one bipolar or unipolar stepper motor. Supports up to 1.2 A per channel using the DRV8833. This motor driver is a good alternative to the TB6612. Like the TB6612, it features two full H-bridges but is better suited for low-voltage applications and can operate with a motor supply voltage from 2.7 V to 10.8 V. It also includes built-in current limiting. The module is factory configured with a 1 A current limit, ensuring that the total current does not exceed 2 A, although the current limit can be disabled or adjusted to a different value.
The DRV8833 is mounted on a breakout board with FET-based reverse-polarity protection on the motor supply input. Each module contains two full H-bridges (four half-bridges), allowing it to drive two DC motors bidirectionally or one stepper motor. The driver can handle peak currents of up to 2 A for short periods if the current limiting is disabled.
One advantage of the DRV8833 is its built-in flyback diodes, which protect against the inductive voltage spikes generated by motors, reducing the risk of damage to both the driver and other electronics.
Each H-bridge has two digital control inputs, one for each half-bridge. Motor speed can be controlled using PWM on one of the inputs. The module operates with both logic and motor supply voltages from 2.7 V to 10.8 V. The motor supply and logic supply share the same voltage, but logic levels of 2.7 V or higher work even when the motors are powered from, for example, 9 V and controlled by a 3.3 V logic system.
Supplied assembled and tested with a pin header that is not pre-soldered.
Specifications:
- Driver IC: DRV8833
- Number of H-bridges: 2
- Motors: 2 × brushed DC motors or 1 × stepper motor
- Motor supply voltage: 2.7–10.8 V
- Current: Up to 1.2 A per channel (preset to 1 A)
- Peak current: 2 A for short periods
- Speed control: PWM
- Built-in flyback diodes*
- Reverse-polarity protection on the motor supply
- Dimensions: 26 × 18 × 3 mm
- Supplied with: Pin header and screw terminal (not pre-soldered)
*A flyback diode (also known as a freewheel diode) is a protection diode used with inductive loads. When the current through an inductive load is interrupted, the magnetic field collapses. The inductance then attempts to keep the current flowing, which can generate a very high voltage spike (back-EMF). This voltage can damage transistors, motor drivers, or other electronic components.