H-Bridge Current Paths

Run the H-Bridge Current Paths MicroSim Fullscreen

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Description

Set the four switches of an H-bridge motor driver and predict whether the motor runs forward, runs in reverse, coasts, brakes, or short-circuits the supply, then watch animated current dots follow the closed path. Used in Chapter 5.

Lesson Plan

Grade level: Middle school and up (age 12+). Time: 10 to 15 minutes.

1. Predict first. Read which switches are closed, trace a path from the supply to ground, and choose what the motor does before the circuit runs.
2. Watch the dots. Orange dots show conventional current. They go through the motor from left to right for forward and from right to left for reverse.
3. Find the forbidden state. Two switches closed in the same leg connect the supply straight to ground. The dots turn red and speed up.
4. Explore. After the six combinations, toggle the switches yourself and look for every combination that brakes the motor.

The picture is a schematic, drawn with the shared circuit-lib.js helpers.

Specification

The learning objective, evidence of mastery and content for this MicroSim are specified in Chapter 5: Actuators and Sensors.