New to arduino- what is the difference between h-bridge and

Other Hardware Motors, Mechanics, Power and CNC
1

Hi guys,

I've ordered the arduino uno original starter kit, and it contains a chip:
Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver for DC or Steppers - 600mA - L293D
Link: Dual H-Bridge Motor Driver for DC or Steppers - 600mA - L293D : ID 807 : $8.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

Also there are many other "things" in the internet like that :
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/1pcs-lot-New-Dual-H-Bridge-DC-Stepper-Motor-Drive-Controller-Board-Module-L298N-for-Ar/1580354773.html?spm=2114.01010208.3.11.WVMGOi&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2,searchweb201602_3_10036_10035_10034_507_10020_10001_2030015_10002_10017_10010_10005_10011_10006_10003_10021_10004_10022_10009_10008_10018_10019,searchweb201603_8&btsid=d222a556-d263-498e-bbce-2a559d4f0422

The first one is "just" a chip, and the second one is a board that contains similar chip L298N

What is the difference between the first product and the second ?
What is their purpose ?

2

One is a chip. The other is a board with a chip and a few other components. You are going to need those other components. Either buy them separately or buy the board with everything ready to go.

3

MorganS,

Can you elaborate a bit about the components ?
why do i need them ?
does the kit i've ordered (the official arduino kit) already contains them ?

Thanks.

4

Before you invest in either a 293 or 298, on or off a board, have a look at more modern, more efficient, similar devices with similar functionality. Pololu has lots, that suit motors of various currents and voltages.

5

Before spending money have a read through Stepper Motor Basics

A H-bridge can be used to control a stepper motor but it is a poor choice for that job.

...R

6

If you don't know what those components do, read the datasheet for the chip. There will usually be a schematic showing the minimum external components required.

As Jimbo says, there are a lot of better modules out there, depending on what you want to do. What do you want to do?

7

The L298N is a CHIP (with legs on it). In order to access functions of that chip, you need to put that chip on a circuit board and add some needed components. Eg.... power supply components, connectors, LED indicator lights, etc. In this case, the L298N chip is bare bones. So either you need to put that chip on a circuit board - and add your own components, or have somebody else do the design for you (in order to implement that chip). So, an L298N "circuit board" is L298N chip placed on a circuit board plus needed add-ons - so that you don't have to do all the work in producing the working circuit board.

This is the same case as those ATmega chips, where you need to put the chip on a circuit board and add suitable components in order to access (use) its functions. So it's like - an ATmega is a chip, while an Arduino Circuit Board is built around that chip to access the chip's functionality.

8

MorganS:
As Jimbo says, there are a lot of better modules out there, depending on what you want to do. What do you want to do?

I'm a new to arduino and I want to learn to use it, I have programming skills and very basic electrical engineering skills.

I don't have a final goal but i my general direction is some moving car controlled by wifi from a smart phone.

Because my country is not very "arduino developed" I need to order the components online. It takes about a month for things to arrive. so I'm doing the research about the components to understand what i need and what i don't need.