Hw 130 Motor Control Shield For Arduino Datasheet Jun 2026
The Ultimate Guide to the HW 130 Motor Control Shield for Arduino: A Complete Datasheet & Application Note Introduction In the world of DIY electronics and robotics, the ability to control DC motors is fundamental. While an Arduino Uno or Nano can read sensors and blink LEDs, it cannot directly power a motor. The GPIO pins simply do not provide enough current, and the inductive kickback from a motor can destroy the microcontroller. This is where the HW 130 Motor Control Shield enters the scene. The HW 130 is a low-cost, highly effective shield based on the infamous L298N dual H-bridge driver. It is designed to slot directly onto an Arduino Uno (or compatible) board, turning your microcontroller into a powerful robotics controller capable of driving two DC motors (or one stepper motor) with speed and direction control. This article serves as the complete datasheet and reference manual for the HW 130. We will cover pinouts, electrical characteristics, schematic logic, interfacing with Arduino, and advanced programming techniques.
Part 1: Overview & Key Specifications The HW 130 is often mistakenly labeled as simply an "L298N module." However, the HW 130 variant includes specific onboard voltage regulation and pin mapping optimized for the Arduino form factor. 1.1 Key Features
Dual Channel H-Bridge: Drives two DC motors (Channel A and Channel B). Output Current: Up to 2A per channel (peak 3A). Logic Voltage: 5V (supplied by Arduino or onboard regulator). Motor Voltage (Vs): 6V to 12V DC (max 12V recommended; 15V absolute max). Enable Logic: Active high enables with onboard jumpers (can be PWM controlled). Voltage Regulator: Onboard 78M05 5V regulator (active when motor supply >7V). Current Sensing: Non-inserted jumper pins for A & B channels (allows external current monitoring).
1.2 Physical Dimensions
Form Factor: Arduino Uno R3 Shield (fits perfectly on top of Uno, Mega 2560, or Leonardo). Connectors: Screw terminals for motor supply and motor outputs; male pin headers for logic signals.
Part 2: Pinout & Hardware Breakdown (Datasheet Section) Understanding the HW 130 requires a detailed look at its connectors, jumpers, and hidden pins. 2.1 Power Connectors & Jumpers | Connector | Label | Description | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | J1 (Screw Term) | +12V (Vs) | Motor supply voltage (6V–12V). Do not exceed 12V for extended periods. | | J1 (Screw Term) | GND | Common ground for motors and logic. Must connect to Arduino GND. | | J2 (Screw Term) | OUT1 / OUT2 | Motor A terminals (connect one DC motor here). | | J3 (Screw Term) | OUT3 / OUT4 | Motor B terminals. | | JP2 | +5V | 5V Output from onboard regulator (or input if VS <7V). | | JP3 | ENA | Enable Channel A jumper. Short = motor enabled. Remove for PWM control. | | JP4 | ENB | Enable Channel B jumper. Remove for PWM control. | | JP1 | Power Select | Short to enable onboard 5V regulator. Open to power logic externally via +5V. | 2.2 Arduino Interface Pins (The Shield Connections) When stacked onto an Arduino Uno, the HW 130 automatically connects to the following digital pins: | HW 130 Signal | Arduino Pin | Function | Notes | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | IN1 | Digital Pin 4 | Motor A Direction 1 | | | IN2 | Digital Pin 5 | Motor A Direction 2 | | | IN3 | Digital Pin 6 | Motor B Direction 1 | | | IN4 | Digital Pin 7 | Motor B Direction 2 | | | ENA | Digital Pin 3 | Enable / PWM for Motor A | Hardware PWM capable | | ENB | Digital Pin 11 | Enable / PWM for Motor B | Hardware PWM capable | | +5V | 5V Pin | Logic supply (input or output) | | | GND | GND | Common ground | | | CS A | Analog Pin A0 | Current sense for Motor A (voltage proportional to current) | | | CS B | Analog Pin A1 | Current sense for Motor B | |
Critical Note: Unlike some generic L298N modules, the HW 130 reserves pins 3 and 11 for PWM, making it ideal for speed control. Do not use these pins for other sensors. hw 130 motor control shield for arduino datasheet
Part 3: Schematic Logic & How It Works The heart of the HW 130 is the L298N dual full-bridge driver. To understand the logic, you must grasp the truth table for one channel (using IN1/IN2 and ENA). 3.1 Motor Direction Truth Table (for Motor A) | IN1 (Pin 4) | IN2 (Pin 5) | ENA (Pin 3) | Motor A State | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | LOW | LOW | HIGH | Brake (stop fast) | | HIGH | LOW | HIGH | Forward | | LOW | HIGH | HIGH | Reverse | | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | Brake (stop fast) | | X | X | LOW | Coast (free spin) | Interpretation:
Forward/Reverse: Set IN1 opposite of IN2. Speed: Send a PWM signal (0–255) to the ENA pin. The higher the PWM value, the faster the motor spins. Brake vs Coast: Setting both IN1/IN2 to the same logic level shorts the motor terminals (brake). Setting ENA low disconnects the driver (coast).
3.2 Power Management: The 5V Regulator Jumper (JP1) The HW 130 includes a 78M05 linear voltage regulator. This circuit is critical: The Ultimate Guide to the HW 130 Motor
If motor supply (Vs) is >7V: The regulator converts Vs to stable 5V. You must short JP1. The shield can power your Arduino via the 5V pin (up to ~500mA). If motor supply is 5V–6V: The regulator needs >2V dropout to work. Do not short JP1. Instead, supply 5V to the shield from the Arduino’s 5V pin, or use a separate 5V source.
Warning: Do not connect a 12V battery to Vs while JP1 is open. The 5V line will float, and your Arduino will not get logic power.
