Texas Instruments L293NG4

Overview

L293NG4 from Texas Instruments is a quadruple high-current half-H driver IC designed to provide bidirectional drive currents up to 1 A per channel at supply voltages from 4.5 V to 36 V. It features separate logic (VCC1) and motor (VCC2) supplies, internal ESD protection, high-noise-immunity TTL-compatible inputs, and operates across 0°C to 70°C - enabling robust control of DC motors, bipolar stepper motors, and latching relays in industrial motion systems.

For engineers reviewing the L293NG4 datasheet, L293NG4 pinout, L293NG4 application, or L293NG4 equivalent, this page delivers verified technical context, real-world design meaning for key specs, validated pin functions, application-specific implementation insights, and two confirmed alternative parts with functional and thermal differentiation.

Technical Context

The L293NG4 implements four independent totem-pole output stages, each combining a Darlington transistor sink and pseudo-Darlington source. Channel pairs are enabled via dedicated active-high inputs: 1,2EN controls channels 1 and 2; 3,4EN controls channels 3 and 4. When enabled, outputs replicate input logic states; when disabled, outputs enter high-impedance state - supporting flexible half-H or full-H bridge configurations.

Unlike the L293D variant, the L293NG4 lacks integrated output clamp diodes, requiring external fast-recovery diodes (e.g., SES5001) across inductive loads for transient suppression. Its logic supply (VCC1) is isolated from the power supply (VCC2), minimizing cross-coupling and enabling mixed-voltage system interfacing while maintaining TTL-level input compatibility up to 7 V.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

Package: PDIP-16 (19.80 mm × 6.35 mm), through-hole, RoHS-compliant, with pins 4, 5, 12, and 13 internally connected to ground and intended for heatsinking to PCB ground plane via multiple solid vias.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar quadruple half-H driver applications.

Compared with L293NG4, the L293DNE trades current capacity and thermal headroom for integrated protection diodes, while the SN754410NE offers superior thermal efficiency and identical layout compatibility - making it the preferred upgrade path where long-term reliability under continuous load is critical.

Availability

L293NG4 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for DC motor control, bipolar stepper motor drive, latching relay interface, and industrial solenoid actuation requiring stable component supply across commercial temperature ranges and long-lifecycle production programs.

Supply support for L293NG4 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

Texas Instruments is a global semiconductor leader specializing in analog, embedded processing, and connectivity technologies, with decades of expertise in motor control and power interface ICs.

The L293x family was engineered specifically for cost-sensitive, medium-power motion control applications - delivering rugged half-H driver functionality in industry-standard PDIP packages for rapid prototyping and industrial equipment integration.

FAQ

What is the maximum continuous output current per channel for the L293NG4?

The L293NG4 supports a continuous output current of 1 A per channel under recommended operating conditions (TA ≤ 70°C, adequate heatsinking). This rating assumes proper PCB thermal design - including connection of pins 4, 5, 12, and 13 to a large ground plane - and derating above 40°C ambient. Exceeding 1 A continuously risks thermal shutdown or permanent damage. The L293NG4 datasheet specifies 2 A peak (≤5 ms) for transient torque demands.

Does the L293NG4 include internal flyback diodes for inductive load protection?

No, the L293NG4 does not integrate output clamp diodes. Unlike the L293DNE variant, it requires external fast-recovery diodes (e.g., SES5001) connected across each inductive load to suppress voltage transients during turn-off. This design choice provides greater flexibility in diode selection for specific voltage/current/switching-speed requirements but increases component count. Always place diodes with cathode to VCC2 and anode to Y-output.

Can the L293NG4 be used to drive a bipolar stepper motor?

Yes, the L293NG4 is commonly used to drive 4-wire bipolar stepper motors by assigning each winding to a pair of channels: winding A to 1Y/2Y and winding B to 3Y/4Y. With proper sequencing of 1A/2A and 3A/4A inputs under 1,2EN and 3,4EN control, full-step or half-step motion is achieved. The L293NG4's 1 A per channel rating supports typical NEMA 17 motors at moderate speeds and torque levels without external current limiting.

What is the purpose of the separate VCC1 and VCC2 supplies on the L293NG4?

VCC1 (pin 16) powers the internal logic circuitry and accepts 4.5 V–7 V, typically 5 V, while VCC2 (pin 8) supplies the high-current output stages at 4.5 V–36 V. This separation isolates sensitive logic from motor supply noise, prevents ground bounce from affecting input thresholds, and allows interfacing with 3.3 V or 5 V microcontrollers while driving 24 V actuators - a key advantage in mixed-voltage industrial control systems using the L293NG4.

How should the ground pins (4, 5, 12, 13) of the L293NG4 be connected on the PCB?

Pins 4, 5, 12, and 13 are internally bonded to the die substrate and serve as both electrical ground and thermal conduction paths. They must be connected together and soldered to a large, low-thermal-resistance PCB ground plane using at least four 0.3 mm diameter plated-through vias per pin. This configuration minimizes junction-to-board thermal resistance (RθJB = 16.5°C/W) and prevents overheating during 1 A operation - failure to implement this results in premature thermal shutdown or device failure in the L293NG4.