L298 Reference Tables, Pins & Specifications | The Engineering Projects

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Selected packageMultiwatt15 VL298N

Physical connections15 pinsPackage-specific numbering

Reference collection7 tables41 parameters & pin functions

Pin reference

Signal names, electrical functions and connection guidance

Multiwatt15 V

Physical pin numbers15 pins

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L298 pin functions and connections
Pin	Signal	Type	Function & connection
	SENSE A	Bridge A current return	Common emitter return of the two lower transistors in bridge A. Connection guidance Connect a low-inductance current-sense resistor to power ground, or ground directly when sensing is not used. Do not leave open. Sensing requires an external controller; this pin alone does not regulate current.
	OUT1	Motor A terminal	First power output of bridge A. Connection guidance Connect to one motor lead; the other lead goes to OUT2. Add external fast flyback diodes to the supply and ground rails.
	OUT2	Motor A terminal	Second power output of bridge A. Connection guidance Connect to the other motor lead. The motor is between OUT1 and OUT2, not between one output and ground.
	VS	Power-stage supply	Feeds the bridge output transistors. Connection guidance Use a local 100 nF capacitor to GND and suitable bulk capacitance. The example uses 12 V. Operating maximum is 46 V; allow room for inductive transients.
	IN1	Bridge A direction input	Controls OUT1 while ENA is HIGH. Connection guidance Connect to a defined controller logic output.
	ENA	Bridge A enable	HIGH enables bridge A; LOW disables both outputs. Connection guidance Use a control output with a pull-down so the motor is disabled during reset.
	IN2	Bridge A direction input	Controls OUT2 while ENA is HIGH. Connection guidance Connect to the second direction-control output.
	GND	Logic and power reference	Reference ground; the Multiwatt metal tab is connected to this node. Connection guidance Join controller, supply and sense-resistor returns. Connect every PowerSO ground contact.
	VSS	Logic supply	Supplies the internal control logic independently of VS. Connection guidance Use 5 V with a local 100 nF bypass to GND. Specified operating range is 4.5–7 V.
	IN3	Bridge B direction input	Controls OUT3 while ENB is HIGH. Connection guidance Hold LOW in this one-motor example.
	ENB	Bridge B enable	HIGH enables bridge B. Connection guidance Hold LOW when bridge B is unused.
	IN4	Bridge B direction input	Controls OUT4 while ENB is HIGH. Connection guidance Hold LOW in this example.
	OUT3	Motor B terminal	First output of bridge B. Connection guidance Leave open when bridge B is unused; otherwise connect the second motor or winding.
	OUT4	Motor B terminal	Second output of bridge B. Connection guidance Leave open when bridge B is unused.
	SENSE B	Bridge B current return	Emitter return for bridge B. Connection guidance Connect to GND in this example. Use a separate low-inductance shunt when sensing bridge B.
	NC	No internal connection	Unconnected contact present only on PowerSO-20. Connection guidance Leave open.
	NC	No internal connection	Unconnected contact present only on PowerSO-20. Connection guidance Leave open.
	GND	Additional SMD ground	Additional ground contact on PowerSO-20; not an extra control signal. Connection guidance Connect to the same ground plane as the other GND contacts.
	GND	Additional SMD ground	Additional ground contact on PowerSO-20; not an extra control signal. Connection guidance Connect to the same ground plane as the other GND contacts.
	GND	Additional SMD ground	Additional ground contact on PowerSO-20; not an extra control signal. Connection guidance Connect to the same ground plane as the other GND contacts.

Operating conditions

ST DS0218 · keep conditions attached

Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Logic supply VSS	4.5–7 V	5 V nominal
Motor supply VS	VIH + 2.5 V to 46 V	Specified operative condition; example uses 12 V
Input / enable HIGH	2.3 V to VSS	TTL-compatible thresholds
Input / enable LOW	−0.3 to 1.5 V	Normal LOW is 0 V
Operating junction	−25 to 130°C	Do not treat as an ambient specification
Local bypass capacitors	100 nF on each supply	VS to GND and VSS to GND, near the IC

Keep enable inputs LOW before switching supplies on or off.

Bridge control

One motor between OUT1 and OUT2

Manufacturer-referenced values5 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
EN LOW; inputs any	Coast · Z / Z	No commanded drive; external diode paths still operate
EN HIGH; IN1 HIGH, IN2 LOW	Direction A	OUT1 HIGH, OUT2 LOW
EN HIGH; IN1 LOW, IN2 HIGH	Direction B	OUT1 LOW, OUT2 HIGH
EN HIGH; both inputs LOW	Brake to GND	Both outputs LOW
EN HIGH; both inputs HIGH	Brake to VS	Both outputs HIGH

Direction labels are commands. Mechanical direction depends on wiring; stop/reversal current must stay within limits.

Output drop and heating

VS = 42 V; VSS = 5 V; TJ = 25°C

Manufacturer-referenced values6 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
High-side drop at 1 A	1.35 V typical; 1.7 V maximum	Source transistor
Low-side drop at 1 A	1.2 V typical; 1.6 V maximum	Sense return grounded
Total drop at 1 A	3.2 V maximum	Combined bridge specification
High-side / low-side at 2 A	2.0 V / 1.7 V typical	2.7 V / 2.3 V maximum individually
Total drop at 2 A	4.9 V maximum	Combined bridge specification
12 V, 1 A example	9.45 V across motor; 2.55 W bridge loss	Uses summed typical drops, excludes other losses

The example is an estimate, not a regulated motor voltage or a safe continuous thermal allowance.

Package connection map

Multiwatt15 → PowerSO-20

Manufacturer-referenced values9 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
SENSE A / SENSE B	1 / 15 → 2 / 19	Separate bridge returns
OUT1 / OUT2	2 / 3 → 4 / 5	Motor A
VS / VSS	4 / 9 → 6 / 12	Power stage / logic
IN1 / IN2	5 / 7 → 7 / 9	Bridge A inputs
ENA / ENB	6 / 11 → 8 / 14	Bridge enables
IN3 / IN4	10 / 12 → 13 / 15	Bridge B inputs
OUT3 / OUT4	13 / 14 → 16 / 17	Motor B
Ground	8 → 1, 10, 11, 20	All ground contacts required
NC	None → 3, 18	Leave open

The interactive pinout changes physical numbering with the selected package. Extra SMD grounds retain their ground function.

One-motor application

L298N front view · 5 V logic / 12 V motor

Manufacturer-referenced values7 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
Motor leads	OUT1 pin 2 and OUT2 pin 3	Use a motor whose stall and braking currents suit the driver
Direction / enable	IN1 pin 5, IN2 pin 7, ENA pin 6	Controller nets IN1, IN2, ENA; 10 kΩ enable pull-down
Power / logic	VS pin 4 = 12 V; VSS pin 9 = 5 V	100 nF local bypass on both rails; bulk motor capacitance
Ground and returns	Pins 1, 8 and 15 to GND	Direct sense returns for this nonsensing example
Unused bridge B	10, 11, 12 LOW; 13, 14 open	Keep outputs disabled
External diodes	Four fast diodes per active bridge	Output to VS and GND to output; low VF; trr ≤200 ns
Thermal design	Heatsink and short power paths	Check stall current, winding energy and supply absorption

Matched net labels are electrical connections. The illustration shows a bare IC; a breakout board may contain different supporting components.

Stress ratings and packages

Operating limits are not interchangeable with absolute maxima

Manufacturer-referenced values8 parameters

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Parameter	Value	Conditions / notes
VS / VSS absolute maximum	50 V / 7 V	Do not design to the transient stress ceiling
DC output current	2 A per channel	Absolute maximum; thermal and braking constraints apply
Peak current	2.5 A repetitive; 3 A nonrepetitive	80% ON, 10 ms ON / 100 ms single pulse respectively
Multiwatt RθJC / RθJA	3°C/W / 35°C/W maximum	Manufacturer thermal conditions
PowerSO RθJA	13°C/W maximum	Mounted on aluminum substrate; not ordinary FR4
Multiwatt geometry	20.2 mm body width; 1.27 mm lead pitch	15 leads in staggered rows; vertical L298N
PowerSO geometry	11.0 × 15.9 mm nominal body; 1.27 mm pitch	L298P, slug down; 20 numbered leads
Generic footprint downloads	TEP suggested land patterns	Check purchased outline, stencil, vias and assembly process

Thermal shutdown is included; automatic load-current regulation needs external circuitry.