DRV8833 - Dual DC motor controler, 1.2A, 2.7 to 10.8V

DRV8833 - Double H-Bridge for 2 DC motors

This little breakout for the DRV8833 from Texas Instruments is a driver allowing the connection of 2 continuous motors (DC) and it is capable of continuously delivering 1.2A on each channel (and peaks just 2A).

With an operating voltage of 2.7 V to 10.8 V, the DRV8833 includes the following protections:

• Reverse polarity,
• under voltage (not allowing a proper working),
• over-current,
• over-temperature

This driver is an excellent solution for controlling small low voltage motors.

The Texas Instruments DRV8833 is an integrated circuit including a double H-bridge that can be used to control, in both directions, two DC motors having an operating voltage between 2.7 V and 10.8 V. It is able to withstand current of approximately 1.2A on each H-bridge and can tolerate current peaks of up to 2A per channel for a few seconds. This makes it an excellent breakout for hobbyist motors (generally between 5 and 9v, at low voltages) and very low voltage motors (under 3.5v) while tolerating any blocking currents.

As this card uses the DRV8833, we recommend that you carefully read the DRV8833 datasheet (1Mb pdf). The other components on the board are surface mounted (SMD / CMS) and include an FET to protect the board against reverse bias.

Useful information:

• This card is very similar to those using the DRV8835 (also a controller for two motors). However, the DRV8835 requires a higher minimum voltage and lower peak current (1.5A max) even though it offers an additional control mode. The DRV8833 offers higher peak current (2A per channel) and current limiting system (built-in) and does not require an external voltage source to power the control logic.
• The DRV8838 driver can be used as a replacement as it offers similar operating voltages and currents. However, the DRV8838 only has one channel (H bridge).
• If you need to use a driver supporting higher voltages, you should be interested in the A4990 and DRV8801 driver.

Features

Here is somes of the key features:

• Size: 12.7 x 20mm
• Double H-Bridge driver: can drive 2 DC motors (or one bipolar stepper motor)
• Voltage: 2.7‌‌ V to 10.8 V
• Output current: 1.2 A continuous current on each motor (2A peak)
• The motor output can deliver up to 2.4A amps (output bridged in parallel, peak to 4 A) to drive one bigger motor.
• Input compatible with 3V and 5V logic.
• Protection against undervoltage (by blocking) and protections against overcurrents and overheating.
• Reverse bias protection circuit.
• It is possible to place and activate resistors acting as a current sensor (these resistors are not included). It is possible to know the current consumed by the motor by measuring the voltage drop across the sensor resistor (e.g. 0.5 or 1Ohms).
• DRV8833 technical datasheet