Control the speed of a DC motor with a potentiometer with an Arduino board
Description: A quick circuit showing how to control the speed of a DC motor with a potentiometer with your Arduino board. Also shows how to use a TIP120 transistor to allow the Arduino control a larger power supply.
This circuit utilizes an Arduino microcontroller to adjust the speed of a DC motor through a potentiometer. The potentiometer acts as a variable resistor, allowing the user to change the voltage signal sent to the Arduino. The Arduino processes this input and adjusts the output signal accordingly.
The TIP120 transistor is employed as a switch to control the larger power supply required by the DC motor. When the Arduino sends a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to the base of the TIP120, it allows current to flow from the collector to the emitter, powering the motor. The TIP120 can handle higher currents, making it suitable for driving motors that require more power than the Arduino can supply directly.
The circuit typically includes the following components:
1. Arduino Board: The microcontroller that processes input from the potentiometer and controls the TIP120.
2. Potentiometer: A variable resistor that allows the user to set the desired motor speed.
3. TIP120 Transistor: A Darlington pair transistor used to switch the motor on and off and control its speed.
4. DC Motor: The load that is being controlled, which varies its speed based on the potentiometer setting.
5. Diode: A flyback diode is often included across the motor terminals to protect the circuit from voltage spikes generated when the motor is turned off.
6. Power Supply: A separate power source that provides the necessary voltage and current to drive the motor.
The connections are made as follows:
- The potentiometer is connected to one of the analog input pins on the Arduino, with its other terminals connected to ground and the 5V supply.
- The base of the TIP120 is connected to a PWM-capable digital output pin on the Arduino through a current-limiting resistor.
- The collector of the TIP120 is connected to one terminal of the DC motor, while the other terminal is connected to the positive side of the external power supply.
- The emitter of the TIP120 is connected to ground.
- The flyback diode is placed in parallel with the motor terminals, oriented to allow current to flow back to the power supply when the motor is turned off.
This setup allows for smooth control of the motor speed, providing an effective solution for various applications requiring variable speed control.A quick circuit showing how to control the speed of a DC motor with a potentiometer with your Arduino board. Also shows how to use a TIP120 transistor to allow the Arduino control a larger power supply.
This circuit utilizes an Arduino microcontroller to adjust the speed of a DC motor through a potentiometer. The potentiometer acts as a variable resistor, allowing the user to change the voltage signal sent to the Arduino. The Arduino processes this input and adjusts the output signal accordingly.
The TIP120 transistor is employed as a switch to control the larger power supply required by the DC motor. When the Arduino sends a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal to the base of the TIP120, it allows current to flow from the collector to the emitter, powering the motor. The TIP120 can handle higher currents, making it suitable for driving motors that require more power than the Arduino can supply directly.
The circuit typically includes the following components:
1. Arduino Board: The microcontroller that processes input from the potentiometer and controls the TIP120.
2. Potentiometer: A variable resistor that allows the user to set the desired motor speed.
3. TIP120 Transistor: A Darlington pair transistor used to switch the motor on and off and control its speed.
4. DC Motor: The load that is being controlled, which varies its speed based on the potentiometer setting.
5. Diode: A flyback diode is often included across the motor terminals to protect the circuit from voltage spikes generated when the motor is turned off.
6. Power Supply: A separate power source that provides the necessary voltage and current to drive the motor.
The connections are made as follows:
- The potentiometer is connected to one of the analog input pins on the Arduino, with its other terminals connected to ground and the 5V supply.
- The base of the TIP120 is connected to a PWM-capable digital output pin on the Arduino through a current-limiting resistor.
- The collector of the TIP120 is connected to one terminal of the DC motor, while the other terminal is connected to the positive side of the external power supply.
- The emitter of the TIP120 is connected to ground.
- The flyback diode is placed in parallel with the motor terminals, oriented to allow current to flow back to the power supply when the motor is turned off.
This setup allows for smooth control of the motor speed, providing an effective solution for various applications requiring variable speed control.A quick circuit showing how to control the speed of a DC motor with a potentiometer with your Arduino board. Also shows how to use a TIP120 transistor to allow the Arduino control a larger power supply.
2 Transistor LED Flasher
This is a classic 2-transistor astable multivibrator. Many other NPN small signal or switching transistors can be used, including 2N4401, PN2222, or 2N2222 using the circuit on the left. The circuit can also be inverted using PNP transistors such as...
Arduino Build LED weather station
In Part 2 of the Arduino masterclass, a weather station is built to measure temperature in degrees Celsius and relative humidity as a percentage. New components and theory are introduced, and practical application is emphasized. While LEDs are effective indicators,...
Arduino Traffic Light Controller
To enhance Arduino programming skills, developing a traffic light controller serves as an excellent practice project.
The traffic light controller project involves designing a circuit that simulates the operation of a traffic light system, typically consisting of red, yellow, and green...
Transistor Clock
If you have been following on Twitter, you might have seen a tweet about a "Transistor Clock" kit that allows for the construction of a wall clock using 194 discrete transistors and numerous other components. This kit has been purchased,...
Remote-controlled fiber-optic Ceiling Light with Arduino
A wooden table features numerous holes of varying diameters designed to accommodate optical fibers. Due to the size of the ceiling lamp (90 cm x 60 cm), it was not feasible to utilize a single bundle of fibers, resulting in...
simple pwm boost converter io disconnect solves malfunctions
A PWM boost converter in a simple controller has a DC path from input VIN to VOUT, which is utilized for high-efficiency power conversion.
A PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) boost converter is an essential component in power electronics, designed to step...
The NOT gate
The single-transistor inverter circuit discussed earlier is too simplistic for practical use as a gate. Real inverter circuits utilize multiple transistors to enhance voltage gain, ensuring that the final output transistor is either in full cutoff or full saturation, while...
Push-on-push-off electronic switch
Transistors Q1 and Q2 form a flip-flop configuration, while Q3 operates a reed relay. Upon initial power application to the circuit, Q1 and Q3 are in a conducting state, whereas Q2 remains off. A momentary closure of switch S1 triggers...
Transistor intercom circuit
This document describes a simple yet effective intercom circuit that is entirely based on transistors. The design features a three-stage RC coupled amplifier. When the pushbutton S2 is activated, the amplifier circuit, which includes transistors T1 and T2, functions as...