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Driving a Motor — SIK Circuit 12
Ed

Yaremwe na

Ed

17. Werurwe 2026FI
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Driving a Motor — SIK Circuit 12

Spin a DC motor at variable speeds using a transistor as a switch. Learn about transistors, flyback diodes, PWM motor control, and serial input for speed control.

Amabwiriza

1

Parts & Introduction

DC motors draw too much current for an Arduino pin to drive directly. A transistor acts as an electronic switch — a small signal from the Arduino controls a larger current flowing through the motor. The flyback diode protects against voltage spikes when the motor turns off.

Parts Needed

  • 1x Arduino Uno + USB cable
  • 1x Breadboard
  • 1x DC Motor
  • 1x NPN Transistor (P2N2222A)
  • 1x Diode (1N4148)
  • 1x 330Ω Resistor
  • 6x Jumper Wires

Materials for this step:

SparkFun Inventors Kit - V3.2SparkFun Inventors Kit - V3.21 ibikoresho
Arduino Uno R31 igice
Breadboard1 igice
DC Motor1 igice
NPN Transistor (P2N2222A)1 igice
Diode (1N4148)1 igice
330 Ohm Resistor330 Ohm Resistor1 igice
Jumper WiresJumper Wires6 ibice

Tools needed:

Computer with Arduino IDE
2

Hardware Hookup

Wiring Instructions

Transistor pinout (flat side facing you, pins down): Collector, Base, Emitter (left to right).

  1. Place the transistor in the breadboard.
  2. Connect Base (middle pin) through a 330Ω resistor to Arduino Digital Pin 9.
  3. Connect Emitter (right pin) to GND.
  4. Connect Collector (left pin) to the motor's black wire.
  5. Connect the motor's red wire to 5V.
  6. Flyback Diode: Connect the banded end (cathode) to 5V, the other end (anode) to the motor's black wire.

Materials for this step:

DC Motor1 igice
NPN Transistor (P2N2222A)1 igice
Diode (1N4148)1 igice
330 Ohm Resistor330 Ohm Resistor1 igice
Breadboard1 igice
Jumper WiresJumper Wires6 ibice
3

Arduino Code

Open the Arduino IDE and upload the following sketch to your Arduino board.

dc_motor.inoarduino
/*
SparkFun Inventor's Kit
Example sketch 12 — SPINNING A MOTOR

Use a transistor to spin a motor at different speeds.

Hardware connections:
  Transistor BASE through 330 ohm resistor to digital pin 9
  Transistor EMITTER to GND
  Transistor COLLECTOR to motor black wire
  Motor red wire to 5V
  Flyback diode: band (cathode) to 5V, anode to motor black wire

This code is completely free for any use.
*/

const int motorPin = 9;

void setup()
{
  pinMode(motorPin, OUTPUT);
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop()
{
  serialSpeed();

  //motorOnThenOff();
  //motorOnThenOffWithSpeed();
  //motorAcceleration();
}

void serialSpeed()
{
  int speed;

  Serial.println("Type a speed (0-255) into the box above,");
  Serial.println("then click [send] or press [return]");
  Serial.println();

  while(true)
  {
    while (Serial.available() > 0)
    {
      speed = Serial.parseInt();
      speed = constrain(speed, 0, 255);

      Serial.print("Setting speed to ");
      Serial.println(speed);

      analogWrite(motorPin, speed);
    }
  }
}

void motorOnThenOff()
{
  int onTime = 3000;
  int offTime = 3000;

  digitalWrite(motorPin, HIGH);
  delay(onTime);
  digitalWrite(motorPin, LOW);
  delay(offTime);
}

void motorOnThenOffWithSpeed()
{
  int Speed1 = 200;
  int Time1 = 3000;
  int Speed2 = 50;
  int Time2 = 3000;

  analogWrite(motorPin, Speed1);
  delay(Time1);
  analogWrite(motorPin, Speed2);
  delay(Time2);
}

void motorAcceleration()
{
  int speed;
  int delayTime = 20;

  for(speed = 0; speed <= 255; speed++)
  {
    analogWrite(motorPin, speed);
    delay(delayTime);
  }
  for(speed = 255; speed >= 0; speed--)
  {
    analogWrite(motorPin, speed);
    delay(delayTime);
  }
}

Materials for this step:

Arduino Uno R31 igice

Tools needed:

Computer with Arduino IDE
4

Test & Experiment

What You Should See

The default serialSpeed() function lets you type speed values (0-255) into the Serial Monitor to control motor speed in real time.

Troubleshooting

  • Motor not spinning: If you sourced your own transistor, double-check the pinout — many NPN transistors have reversed pin orders compared to the P2N2222A.
  • Motor won't start at low values: Below ~50, the motor doesn't have enough torque to overcome friction. This is normal.
  • Connection issues: Try unplugging and re-plugging the USB cable.

Experiments to Try

  • Uncomment motorAcceleration() to see smooth speed ramping.
  • Add a potentiometer to control speed with a knob instead of serial input.
  • Add a button for on/off control.

Ibikoresho

8

Ibikoresho bikenewe

1
  • Computer with Arduino IDE
Estimated Total
$138.00

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