Development of a Microcontroller Based DC Motor Speed Control System

Abstract

This work reports the development of a microcontroller based control system to change the speed of a DC motor. Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technique was used to control the amount of power delivered to the load (the DC motor) without dissipating any wasted power. The components and assembly of this microcontroller circuit are highlighted in this paper, and the constructed circuit tested. This device was used to control the speed of a rotating fan attached to a DC motor. The DC motor speed variations were read from a Tachometer connected to this motor and the results obtained show good agreement with our expectations. DC Motor speed microcontroller devices find applications in many areas of life, and its applications in small scale industrial settings will no doubt enhance the quest for development in a developing nation like ours.