A Comparison Article about L293D & ULN2003

     L293D is a monolithic integrated high voltage, high current four channel driver designed to accept standard DTL or TTL logic levels and drive inductive loads (such as relays solenoides, DC, and stepping motors) and switching power transistors.

    To simplify use as two bridges each pair of channels is equipped with an enable input. A separate supply input is provided for the logic, allowing operation at a lower voltage, and internal clamp diodes are included.

This device is suitable for use in switching applications at frequencies up to 5kHz.

    The ULN2003 is a high-voltage, high-current Darlington array that contains seven open collectors Darlington pairs with common emitters. Each channel is rated at 500 mA and can withstand peak currents of 600 mA. Suppression diodes are included for inductive load driving and the inputs are pinned opposite the outputs to simplify board layout.

l293d pinout

uln2003 pinout

L293D Features

• Can be used to run Two DC motors with the same IC.

• Speed and Direction control are possible

• Motor voltage Vcc2 (Vs): 4.5V to 36V

• Maximum Peak motor current: 1.2A

• Maximum Continuous Motor Current: 600mA

• Supply Voltage to Vcc1(VSS): 4.5V to 7V

• Transition time: 300ns (at 5Vand 24V)

• Automatic Thermal shutdown is available

• Available in 16-pin DIP, TSSOP, SOIC packages

ULN2003 Features

• Contains 7 high-voltage and high current Darlington pairs

• Each pair is rated for 50V and 500mA

• Input pins can be triggered by +5V

• All seven Output pins can be connected to gather to drive loads up to (7×500mA) ~3.5A.

• Can be directly controlled by logic devices like Digital Gates, Arduino, PIC, etc

• Available in 16-pin DIP, TSSOP, SOIC packages

L293D Applications

• Used to drive high current Motors using Digital Circuits

• Can be used to drive Stepper motors

• High current LED’s can be driven

• Relay Driver module (Latching Relay is possible)

ULN2003 Applications

• Used to drive high current loads using Digital Circuits

• Can be used to drive Stepper motors

• High current LED’s can be driven

• Relay Driver module (can drive 7 relays)

• Logic Buffers in digital electronics

• Used as a Touch sensor for Arduino

L293D Equivalent Dual Timer IC

LB1909MC, SN754410, ULN2003

ULN2003 Equivalent ICS

TPIC2701, ULN2001, ULN2002, ULN2004, L293D, Motor Driver Shield

L293D Datasheet

ULN2003 Datasheet

l293d functional block diagram

uln2003 diagram

The L293D is an H bridge motor driver and it is usually used to drive 1 or 2 motors forward and back.

The ULN2003 is a Darlington high current driver, which means it can be used to drive any device in its current range, so essentially it's a switch.

If you are driving a stepper motor then the L293D will drive them as well as the ULN2003 once you sort out the pins.

What’s more, L293D only provided around 600MA of current though.

L293D has four push-pull output so it can sink (provide gnd) or source current (provide positive supply) so it can be used for unipolar or bipolar motors.

ULN2003 can only sink current (provide gnd) because the outputs are open collectors, it can only drive unipolar motors.