An H-Bridge is a circuit of 4 switches allowing to select the direction of current flowing through a part. The simplest H-Bridge consists of four manually controlled switches. The name is derived from the circuit diagram which looks like a capital H.
When using an H-Bridge it is important to prevent switches to short circuit the supply voltage. In a few H-bridge designs additional circuitry prevents accidental short circuits, but most available chips don't have this protection.
Often "Half-bridges" are used where you'd expect an H-Bridge. They are almost the same - but only the left (or right) part of the Bridge is already connected. (2 switches in series with their middle as output. Out of two half-bridges you can build an H-Bridge (also often referred to as Full-Bridge).
Use
- H-Bridges are often used to switch DC motors in speed and direction.
- Generate AC-Currents where AC is needed.
- Turn a bi-stable relay on/off
- Dual-H-Bridges (or quadruple half bridges) Are useful to control bipolar stepper motors
Popular H-Bridges and Half-Bridges
L293D quad half-bridge: one of the cheapest part to build one or two H-Bridges. Has built in diodes, comes in a standard DIP package: conveniently useable in a Breadboard. 600 mA continuous current.
SN754410: built in free wheeling diodes, DIP package - very similar to the L293D but more power (1.1A per channel) and allowed pwm frequencies are higher. According to its dataseheet the SN754410 is usable as a replacement for the L293. (even better).
L298N: Well known and widely used Dual H-Bridge (2 H-Bridges in One IC). Comes as Powerdip IC - doesn't fit into breadboard without modifications. 2 A continuous current. Even if it's designed to be an H-Bridge it has no additional logic preventing shorts.
Links
- H-Bridge using darlington Transistors - 5A
- The Armory Figure-1 shows a circuit of an h-bridge using MOSFET transistors.
- German Tutorial, connecting 2 Motors to an L293D
- English Tutorial, connecting one Motor to an L293D
- Circuit of an H-Bridge entirely made of discrete components like transistors, free wheeling diodes