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Dual full-bridge motor driver

L298 Basic Circuit

Build a basic L298 circuit with labeled pins, component values and connection guidance.

Package view

L298 in a circuit

A physical IC, named control nets and four external flyback diodes.

L298N uses 12 V at VS pin 4, 5 V at VSS pin 9 and ground at pins 1, 8 and 15. Controller nets IN1, ENA and IN2 connect to pins 5, 6 and 7. Motor uses outputs 2 and 3; four external diodes clamp each output to the rails.
Pin numbers in this application drawing refer to L298N Multiwatt15. Use the package connection map for L298P.

Connect it, step by step

Follow the component values and pin connections

Wire both rails and ground

Add a 100 nF bypass on each rail and motor bulk capacitance. All GND symbols share one return.

Connect motor and external diodes

Use OUT1 and OUT2. Upper diodes point from output to VS; lower diodes point from GND to output.

Set defined control inputs

Use IN1 and IN2 for direction and ENA for enable. Hold unused inputs LOW and unused outputs open.

Component view