PWM Motor Control Circuit

Speed control for dc motor (electric motor) can be implemented using open loop or closed loop.
Closed loop controller, also known as servo controller, or a feedback control, gives the best
performance since the loop will maintain the actual speed to follow the reference. In simple
application, an open loop controller can be enough if the load is constant, such as in fan control
(PC fan speed control). This dc motor control circuit uses PWM (pulse width modulation), gives
a better efficiency than using linear driver. Here is the schematic diagram of this PWM motor
controller.

Parts list:
Circuit NTE #
Q1= IRFZ46N NTE2975 (MOSFET N−Channel, Enhancement Mode High Speed Switch)
U1= LM555 NTE955M
D1,D2 = 1N5818 NTE585
C1= 0.1uF
C2= 0.01uF
C3= 0.1uF
R1= 100K Pot
R2= 10k

The circuit uses the very popular 555 IC, but here the circuit is configured in unusual way. The
PWM output is taken from the discharge pin, an open collector point that should be pulled high
using a Vcc-connected resistor, while the original output pin (pin 3) is functioned to discharge
the timing capacitor. The recommended supply voltage for 555 IC is between 9-12 volt, and you
can connect the +V motor to this 555 supply voltage if the motor use 9-12 volt. The frequency of
this PWM controller is about 144Hz, and you can change the frequency by changin the C1
capacitor, use smaller caps for higher frequency. The motor current can be as high as 37A if you
allow the MOSFET to rise its case temperature to 100 C, and you must provide enough heat sink
to maintain the temperature below this point. It is a good idea to provide protector diode in
parallel with the motor to short the back-emf generated by the DC motor that might cause a
voltage spike that could burn the MOSFET. This simple pwm control gives you a variable speed
drives for motion control application. [Circuit schematic diagram