L293DQuadruple half-H motor driver
Choose direction, brake or coast with a pair of logic signals.
L293D combines four half-H drivers in a 16-pin package. Pair two outputs around a DC motor to reverse the voltage across it, or use the four channels for other inductive loads. A separate logic supply drives the control circuitry, while the motor supply feeds the output stages. Enable pins control the outputs in pairs; disabling a pair puts both outputs into high impedance. This page covers the TI L293DNE PDIP-16 device, including its internal clamp diodes and 600 mA per-channel rating. Motor stall current, driver voltage drop and package heating still determine whether a load is suitable.
Pair enablesDirection inputsMotor outputsSupplies & ground
L293DNEPDIP-16Top view
Click a lead or use the arrow keys. Top view
PIN 1 · Pair enables
Active-HIGH enable1,2EN
Function
Enables outputs 1Y and 2Y together. LOW makes both high impedance.
How to connect
Connect to a defined logic control or PWM signal.
Electrical note
Add a pull-down so the motor stays disabled during controller reset.
PIN 2 · Direction inputs
Driver 1 input1A
Function
Controls the first half-bridge when enabled.
How to connect
First direction-control signal.
PIN 3 · Motor outputs
Driver 1 output1Y
Function
First motor terminal for bridge A.
How to connect
Connect to one motor lead; the other goes to 2Y.
Electrical note
Output has a voltage drop under load.
PIN 4 · Supplies & ground
Ground and heat pathGND
Function
Supply return and package thermal connection.
How to connect
Connect with pins 5, 12 and 13 to a ground plane.
PIN 5 · Supplies & ground
Ground and heat pathGND
Function
Supply return and package thermal connection.
How to connect
Connect all four ground pins.
PIN 6 · Motor outputs
Driver 2 output2Y
Function
Second motor terminal for bridge A.
How to connect
Connect to the other motor lead.
PIN 7 · Direction inputs
Driver 2 input2A
Function
Controls the second half-bridge when enabled.
How to connect
Second direction-control signal.
PIN 8 · Supplies & ground
Motor supplyVCC2
Function
Supplies the four power output stages.
How to connect
Use +12 V in this example; decouple locally and add bulk capacitance.
Electrical note
The reviewed TI operating table requires VCC2 ≥ VCC1 and ≤36 V.
PIN 9 · Pair enables
Active-HIGH enable3,4EN
Function
Enables outputs 3Y and 4Y together.
How to connect
Tie LOW when the second bridge is unused.
PIN 10 · Direction inputs
Driver 3 input3A
Function
Controls the third half-bridge.
How to connect
Tie LOW if unused.
PIN 11 · Motor outputs
Driver 3 output3Y
Function
First output of bridge B.
How to connect
Leave open if bridge B is unused.
PIN 12 · Supplies & ground
Ground and heat pathGND
Function
Supply return and thermal connection.
How to connect
Connect to the same ground plane as pins 4, 5 and 13.
PIN 13 · Supplies & ground
Ground and heat pathGND
Function
Supply return and thermal connection.
How to connect
Connect all four ground pins.
PIN 14 · Motor outputs
Driver 4 output4Y
Function
Second output of bridge B.
How to connect
Leave open if bridge B is unused.
PIN 15 · Direction inputs
Driver 4 input4A
Function
Controls the fourth half-bridge.
How to connect
Tie LOW if unused.
PIN 16 · Supplies & ground
Logic supplyVCC1
Function
Supplies internal logic translation.
How to connect
Use +5 V and a 100 nF bypass to GND.
Electrical note
Keep the logic and motor supply returns connected.
At a glance
Quadruple half-H motor driver
Four half-bridges provide two reversible output pairs. The L293D includes clamp diodes, but current, supply energy and heat still need a suitable design.
36 V · VCC2 ≥ VCC1Motor-supply ceiling
4 Two full bridgesHalf-H drivers
600 mA · thermal limits applyPer-channel continuous current
0–70 °CAmbient range
Operating profile
L293DNE
Operating conditions
Key parameters and their test conditions
- Logic supply VCC1
- 4.5–7 VConditions / notes: Use 5 V in this example
- Motor supply VCC2
- VCC1 to 36 VConditions / notes: Separate motor power rail
- Ambient temperature
- 0 to 70°CConditions / notes: Operating range
- Input HIGH
- ≥2.3 VConditions / notes: At VCC1 = 5 V
- Input LOW
- ≤1.5 VConditions / notes: Use normal 0 V logic LOW
- Ground connections
- 4, 5, 12, 13Conditions / notes: All required; also conduct heat
Package details
Follows the selected physical package
- Manufacturer
- Texas Instruments
- Part number
- L293DNE
- Package
- PDIP-16
- Connections
- 16 pins
- Mounting
- Through-hole
- Lead pitch
- 2.54 mm
- Package code
- dip
- Thermal reference
- Board and package dependent; see manufacturer data
Connections by function
Select a pin to open its function, electrical notes and wiring guidance.
Pair enables2 pins
Direction inputs4 pins
Motor outputs4 pins
Supplies & ground6 pins
Enable one output pair
Set 1,2EN HIGH to make 1Y and 2Y follow their corresponding inputs. Disable the pair to release both motor leads into high impedance.
Reverse the motor voltage
Opposite input states apply opposite polarities across the motor. Swapping the inputs reverses the commanded direction.
Brake or coast deliberately
Equal enabled outputs short the motor terminals to the same rail for dynamic braking. Disabled outputs let the motor coast; stored inductive current still uses the clamp paths.
600 mA per channel is not a promise that every channel can carry that current indefinitely. Check stall current and total package dissipation.
Direction, brake or coast?
Switch the inputs to explore one complete motor bridge.
1Y · Pin 3—
2Y · Pin 6—
Command—
Enable JavaScript to explore bridge control.
EN 0 · CoastEN 1 · 1 / 0 · AEN 1 · 0 / 1 · BEN 1 · 0 / 0 · BrakeEN 1 · 1 / 1 · Brake
Logic-state explorer only. The colored motor indicates commanded direction, not simulated speed. Current, inertia, switching time, voltage drop, clamp transients and heating are not calculated.
Pin reference
Select a pin to explore its function and connection.
16 pins
| Pin | Signal | Type | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,2EN | Active-HIGH enable | Enables outputs 1Y and 2Y together. LOW makes both high impedance. | |
| 1A | Driver 1 input | Controls the first half-bridge when enabled. | |
| 1Y | Driver 1 output | First motor terminal for bridge A. | |
| GND | Ground and heat path | Supply return and package thermal connection. | |
| GND | Ground and heat path | Supply return and package thermal connection. | |
| 2Y | Driver 2 output | Second motor terminal for bridge A. | |
| 2A | Driver 2 input | Controls the second half-bridge when enabled. | |
| VCC2 | Motor supply | Supplies the four power output stages. | |
| 3,4EN | Active-HIGH enable | Enables outputs 3Y and 4Y together. | |
| 3A | Driver 3 input | Controls the third half-bridge. | |
| 3Y | Driver 3 output | First output of bridge B. | |
| GND | Ground and heat path | Supply return and thermal connection. | |
| GND | Ground and heat path | Supply return and thermal connection. | |
| 4Y | Driver 4 output | Second output of bridge B. | |
| 4A | Driver 4 input | Controls the fourth half-bridge. | |
| VCC1 | Logic supply | Supplies internal logic translation. |
No pins match. Try a signal name or choose All pins.
Operating conditions
TI L293DNE
Manufacturer specifications 6 parameters
| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Logic supply VCC1 | 4.5–7 V | Use 5 V in this example |
| Motor supply VCC2 | VCC1 to 36 V | Separate motor power rail |
| Ambient temperature | 0 to 70°C | Operating range |
| Input HIGH | ≥2.3 V | At VCC1 = 5 V |
| Input LOW | ≤1.5 V | Use normal 0 V logic LOW |
| Ground connections | 4, 5, 12, 13 | All required; also conduct heat |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Do not confuse L293D current ratings with the higher-current L293.
Motor A control table
Motor between 1Y3 and 2Y6
Manufacturer specifications 5 parameters
| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| EN LOW; A1/A2 any | Coast · outputs Z / Z | No commanded drive; clamp paths remain |
| EN HIGH; A1 HIGH, A2 LOW | Direction A | 1Y HIGH; 2Y LOW |
| EN HIGH; A1 LOW, A2 HIGH | Direction B | 1Y LOW; 2Y HIGH |
| EN HIGH; A1 LOW, A2 LOW | Brake to GND | Both outputs LOW |
| EN HIGH; A1 HIGH, A2 HIGH | Brake to motor rail | Both outputs HIGH |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Physical clockwise direction depends on motor wiring. Braking does not stop motion instantaneously.
Current and voltage drop
L293D
Manufacturer specifications 6 parameters
| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous output current | ±600 mA per channel | Respect package thermal constraints |
| HIGH output at −0.6 A | VCC2 − 1.4 V typical | VCC2 − 1.8 V minimum |
| LOW output at +0.6 A | 1.2 V typical | 1.8 V maximum |
| Typical bridge loss at 0.6 A | 1.56 W | 0.6 A × (1.4 + 1.2 V), excluding logic losses |
| Typical motor voltage at 12 V | 9.4 V at 0.6 A | 12 − 1.4 − 1.2; not a regulated output |
| Clamp diodes | Built in | Inductive transient current returns to the rails |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Voltage drops depend on current and temperature. The 9.4 V example is not valid for every load.
One-motor example
5 V logic · 12 V motor rail
Manufacturer specifications 7 parameters
| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Enable1 | Controller output with 10 kΩ pull-down | Motor disabled while controller output floats |
| Direction inputs2 and7 | Defined controller outputs | Change direction with a suitable stop/dead-time strategy |
| Motor leads | Outputs3 and6 | Choose a motor with acceptable stall current |
| Logic bypass | 100 nF | VCC1 pin16 to GND |
| Motor bypass | 100 nF + suitable bulk capacitor | VCC2 pin8 to GND; example bulk 100 µF |
| Unused bridge | Pins9,10,15 LOW | Outputs11 and14 open |
| Return | Controller, both supplies and all GND pins | Common reference |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
Bulk capacitance is an example; account for wiring, motor energy and the supply’s ability to absorb current.
Package and stress limits
L293DNE
Manufacturer specifications 5 parameters
| Parameter | Value | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewed package | PDIP-16 | TI L293DNE; 2.54 mm lead pitch |
| Peak output current | ±1.2 A | Nonrepetitive; duration ≤100 µs; stress rating |
| Maximum junction temperature | 150°C | Absolute maximum; design for lower operating temperature |
| Storage temperature | −65 to +150°C | Unpowered |
| Board thermal resistance | 36.4°C/W reference | TI JEDEC test-board condition; real layout differs |
No specifications match. Try a parameter name or a unit.
This page does not substitute a different manufacturer’s SMD package or pin map.
DC motor direction control
Two half-bridges form a reversible motor output with separate enable control.
Manufacturer application guideSmall bipolar steppers
Use both bridge pairs to drive two windings with an appropriate current and stepping strategy.
Manufacturer application guideSolenoids and relays
Drive inductive loads while accounting for clamp paths, current and package dissipation.
Manufacturer application guideTake it into ProTech
Find L293D in the Components Library to place its schematic symbol and connect its pins.
Reference page · circuit simulation model not yet availableOpen ProTech