TB6612FNG Dual Motor Driver Module - 4.5V-10V DC Controller

Specifications

• Driver IC: TB6612FNG

• Logic Supply Voltage (VCC): 2.7V to 5.5V DC

• Motor Supply Voltage (VM): 4.5V to 10V DC

• Output Current: 1.2A continuous per channel (3.2A peak)

• Motor Channels: 2 Independent DC Motors (A01/A02 and B01/B02)

• Speed Control: Independent PWM inputs (PWMA / PWMB)

• Standby Mode: Hardware STBY pin for power saving

Key Applications and Projects

• Micro-Robotics (Micromouse/Line Followers): Driving tiny N20 micro gear motors with extreme precision where space and battery weight are limited.

• Mecanum Wheel Cars: Using two of these modules to drive four independent wheels for omnidirectional robotic movement.

• Camera Gimbals: Smoothly controlling small pan/tilt mechanisms utilizing the high-frequency PWM capabilities.

Unlock New Capabilities (Project Evolution)

• Battery Upgrade: Because there is minimal voltage drop, you can transition from heavy 12V lead-acid batteries to a compact 2S LiPo battery (7.4V) connected to the VM pin and still get maximum torque from your 6V motors.

• Safety Upgrade: Connect the STBY pin to a dedicated emergency-stop button or a bumper switch on your robot; when pressed, it pulls STBY LOW and immediately halts the drive without complex code.

Package Includes:

• 1 x TB6612FNG Dual Channel Motor Driver Module

• 2 x 8-Pin Male Headers (Note: These are included loose and require soldering)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. What is the difference between VM and VCC? VM is the raw power supply for your motors (4.5V-10V). VCC is the low-voltage power for the logic chip (2.7V-5.5V).

2. Why aren't my motors turning? You must pull the STBY (Standby) pin HIGH. If STBY is disconnected or LOW, the module is in sleep mode and will not drive the motors.

3. Are the header pins pre-soldered? No, the module comes with two loose 8-pin headers that you must solder yourself before it can be used on a breadboard.

4. How do I control the motor speed? Send a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal from your microcontroller to the PWMA (for Motor A) or PWMB (for Motor B) pins.

5. How do I change the motor direction? For Motor A, toggle the AIN1 and AIN2 pins. If AIN1 is HIGH and AIN2 is LOW, it spins one way; flip them to reverse the direction.

6. Can I power the motors from my Arduino's 5V pin? You can power the logic VCC from the Arduino's 5V pin, but you should never power the motor VM from the Arduino. Always use a separate battery or power supply for VM.

7. Is there a common ground requirement? Yes, the GND pins are shared internally. You must connect your motor battery's ground and your Arduino's ground to the module.

8. Where do I connect the DC motors? Motor A connects to the A01 and A02 pins. Motor B connects to the B01 and B02 pins.

9. What is the maximum current rating? The chip is rated for 1.2A of continuous current per channel, with brief peak bursts up to 3.2A.

10. Why use the TB6612FNG instead of the L298N? The TB6612FNG uses highly efficient MOSFETs, so it doesn't waste battery power as heat, it doesn't need a massive heatsink, and it is significantly smaller.

11. Can it drive a stepper motor? Yes, you can drive a single 4-wire bipolar stepper motor by treating the two coils as two separate DC motors.

12. What exactly does the STBY pin do? The STBY pin controls the working status. When pulled LOW, the module enters a low-power standby state, disabling all motor outputs to save battery.

13. What happens if I make AIN1 and AIN2 both HIGH? This triggers a "Short Brake" mode, actively resisting the motor's rotation to stop it quickly.

14. Is it compatible with 3.3V boards like the ESP32 or Raspberry Pi? Yes, the VCC logic accepts 2.7V to 5.5V, making it perfectly safe and compatible with 3.3V controllers.

15. Can I parallel the outputs to drive one larger motor? Yes, you can bridge A01 with B01, and A02 with B02 to essentially double the current capacity for a single motor (up to 2.4A continuous).

16. Does the module have thermal protection? Yes, the TB6612FNG IC includes a built-in thermal shutdown circuit that disables the outputs if the chip gets too hot.

17. Do I need external flyback diodes? No, the internal MOSFETs have built-in body diodes that safely handle the inductive voltage spikes generated by the motors.

18. What is the maximum PWM frequency it supports? The module supports high-frequency PWM input up to 100 kHz, allowing for extremely smooth and silent motor operation.

19. Can I use this to drive a solenoid or relay? Yes, because it is an H-bridge, it can drive other inductive loads like solenoids or electromagnets up to 1.2A.

20. What happens if the motor voltage (VM) drops too low? The chip features a low-voltage detecting circuit. If VM drops below the operational threshold, it will protect the circuit by disabling the motor outputs to prevent erratic behavior.