Flyback Diode Selection for DC Motor

Robotics
1

I’m trying to create a simple circuit to power this 12v DC motor:

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/12367

I was reading in this guide I should use a flyback diode, but I have no idea how to go about selecting which diode to use:

https://cdn.sparkfun.com/assets/resourc … es_2up.pdf

I plan on creating a simple circuit with just a power supply, motor, switch, and diode, based on the schematic on page 4 of the guide.

Any help is appreciated.

2

If all you have is a power supply, switch and motor, you don’t need a flyback diode. (The diode is for protecting semiconductors like a transistor or MOSFET, a simple switch doesn’t need protecting. )

If you did need a diode, a 1N4001 would do.