DRV8251A Texas Instruments Integrated Circuit (Small Outline Packages) In Stock
DRV8251A is a brushed DC motor driver from Texas Instruments capable of driving loads up to 3.5 A peak with an integrated H-bridge and protection features including overcurrent and thermal shutdown. It operates from a 4.5 V to 40 V supply and is packaged in a low-profile 8-pin PowerPAD SOIC with a maximum height of 1.7 mm. Available in stock worldwide with fast shipping.
- Manufacturer
- Texas Instruments
- Package
- Small Outline Packages
- Pin Count
- 9
- Lifecycle
- ACTIVE
- Datasheet
- DRV8251A Datasheet PDF
- Category
- Integrated Circuit
- RoHS
- Compliant
- Lead Time
- 3–7 business days
- Shipping
- DHL Express · Worldwide
Key Features
- 4.5 V to 40 V wide supply range covers 12 V and 24 V brushed DC motor applications with a single device
- 3.5 A peak output current with integrated H-bridge eliminates external discrete FET bridges
- Integrated overcurrent, undervoltage, and thermal shutdown protection reduce external protection circuitry
- Low-profile 8-pin PowerPAD SOIC package at 1.7 mm max height fits height-constrained motor-drive PCBs
Applications
DRV8251A is designed for small brushed DC motor control in industrial automation, robotics, and home appliances where a 12 V or 24 V supply powers actuators and fans drawing up to 3.5 A peak. The integrated H-bridge with fast-decay and slow-decay current recirculation modes allows smooth PWM speed control from a microcontroller using a single PWM signal. Its wide 4.5 V to 40 V input range and robust protection feature set also suit automotive accessory applications and battery-powered power tools.
Compliance & Regulatory
| RoHS Status | Compliant |
| Lead-Free | Yes (Pb-Free) |
Alternate & Equivalent Parts
Compatible alternatives and drop-in replacements for DRV8251A:
Frequently Asked Questions
What supply voltage range does DRV8251A support and which motor voltage systems is it compatible with?
DRV8251A operates from 4.5 V to 40 V, making it compatible with common motor voltage systems including 5 V, 12 V, 24 V, and 36 V brushed DC motor designs. This wide range allows a single device to be used across battery-powered portable tools running from a 12 V pack all the way to 36 V cordless power tools and industrial 24 V actuators.
How does DRV8251A handle overcurrent and thermal protection during motor stall conditions?
DRV8251A includes integrated overcurrent protection that disables the output stage when peak current exceeds the device threshold, preventing MOSFET damage during motor stall or short-circuit events. A thermal shutdown circuit also disables the driver when junction temperature exceeds approximately 150 degrees C, and both faults are automatically cleared with a cooldown period, allowing the system to recover without a processor reset.
What current can DRV8251A deliver and how does the PowerPAD package help with thermal management?
DRV8251A delivers up to 3.5 A peak and a continuous RMS current determined by thermal dissipation. The 8-pin PowerPAD SOIC exposes a large thermal pad on the package bottom, which when soldered to a PCB copper pour transfers heat efficiently to the board. With an adequate 2-layer copper pour, the driver can sustain 2 A or more of continuous current without an external heatsink in a 25 degrees C ambient environment.
Which control interface does DRV8251A use and how does a microcontroller set motor speed and direction?
DRV8251A accepts a standard 2-wire IN1/IN2 control interface where logic levels on 2 input pins select forward, reverse, coast, and brake modes. Motor speed is controlled by applying a PWM signal at up to hundreds of kHz on one of the input pins, with duty cycle setting the average voltage across the motor. This simple interface is compatible with any 3.3 V or 5 V microcontroller GPIO without level translators.
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About Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (TI) is a global semiconductor company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. TI designs and manufactures analog and embedded processing chips used in industrial, automotive, consumer, communications, and enterprise systems.
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