Looking for a suitable motor?
小编
Published2025-10-15
Introduction to Arduino and Servo Motors
If you're a hobbyist or enthusiast venturing into the world of electronics, there's no doubt that you've come across Arduino. Arduino is a powerful platform that allows you to build a wide range of electronic projects easily. One of the most exciting components you can control using Arduino is the servo motor. Whether you're building a robotic arm, a door lock system, or simply adding movement to your creations, understanding how to control a servo motor with Arduino opens up many possibilities.
In this article, we’ll guide you through controlling a servo motor with Arduino. From wiring your servo to writing the code, we’ll cover everything you need to get started. Even if you’re new to the world of Arduino, don’t worry—this guide will provide easy-to-follow instructions, and you’ll be controlling servos in no time.
Before diving into the code, let’s first understand what a servo motor is. A servo motor is a type of motor that’s designed to precisely control the position of an object. Unlike regular motors, which rotate continuously, servo motors can be rotated to specific angles. This makes them perfect for tasks like moving an arm to a specific position or controlling the angle of a camera.
A servo motor consists of three main components:
Motor – This provides the rotational power.
Potentiometer – This measures the position of the motor.
Control Circuitry – This receives a signal from the controller (in our case, Arduino) and adjusts the motor’s position.
Servos are generally easy to control with simple pulses, making them an ideal choice for beginners. The movement of a servo is based on the width of the pulse sent from the Arduino, known as PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).
There are various types of servo motors, but the most common are:
Standard Servo – Typically used for basic tasks like turning knobs or moving arms. These servos usually have a range of 0° to 180°.
Continuous Rotation Servo – These can rotate indefinitely in either direction and are often used in robotics, where constant movement is required.
High-Torque Servo – This type of servo is capable of handling larger loads, making it suitable for more demanding tasks.
For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on controlling the standard servo motor, which is sufficient for most beginner projects.
To control a servo motor using Arduino, you will need a few basic components:
Arduino Board – Any model of Arduino will work, such as Arduino Uno, Mega, or Nano.
Servo Motor – A standard servo will suffice for most projects.
Jumper Wires – These are used to make connections between the Arduino and the servo motor.
Breadboard (optional) – For easy connections, though not strictly necessary.
Once you have your components ready, it’s time to move on to wiring the servo to your Arduino.
The first step in any Arduino project is to connect your components correctly. Wiring a servo motor to an Arduino is quite simple. Here’s how you do it:
Connect the GND pin of the Arduino to the GND pin of the servo.
Connect the VCC pin of the servo to the 5V pin on the Arduino.
Connect the signal (control) wire of the servo to one of the PWM pins on the Arduino. For most Arduino boards, pin 9 is a good choice.
Your wiring should now be complete! With this simple setup, you're ready to start writing the code that will control the servo motor.
Writing the Arduino Code for Servo Motor Control
Now that you've connected your servo motor, it’s time to write the Arduino code that will control its movements. The Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment) makes writing and uploading code to your board easy. If you don’t have it installed yet, head over to the official Arduino website and download it.
Step 1: Import the Servo Library
The first thing you need to do is include the Servo library in your Arduino code. This library contains the necessary functions for controlling the servo motor.
In your Arduino IDE, type the following code at the top of your program:
This tells the Arduino that you are using the Servo library in your program.
Step 2: Declare the Servo Object
Next, you need to create a Servo object. This is like giving a name to your servo motor, which will allow you to control it through code. Declare the Servo object as follows:
Servo myServo; // Create a Servo object
Step 3: Set Up the Servo in the setup() Function
In the setup() function, you will define the pin that controls the servo and initialize it. Here’s how to do that:
myServo.attach(9); // Attach the servo control to pin 9
In this case, we’ve connected the signal wire of the servo to pin 9 on the Arduino. The attach() function binds the servo motor to the specified pin.
Step 4: Move the Servo in the loop() Function
The loop() function is where the main action happens. It continuously repeats, so it’s perfect for controlling your servo motor. For example, we can make the servo sweep back and forth between 0° and 180°.
myServo.write(0); // Move the servo to 0 degrees
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
myServo.write(180); // Move the servo to 180 degrees
delay(1000); // Wait for 1 second
In this example, the servo will move to 0°, then pause for 1 second, then move to 180°, and pause again. The write() function takes an angle (from 0 to 180) and moves the servo to that position. The delay() function pauses the program for the specified amount of time (in milliseconds).
Once you’ve written the code, the final step is to upload it to the Arduino. Connect your Arduino to your computer via USB, click the Upload button in the Arduino IDE, and watch the magic happen! The servo should start moving back and forth as instructed.
Servo doesn’t move: Double-check the wiring. Ensure the signal wire is connected to the correct pin on the Arduino.
Servo moves erratically: This could be due to insufficient power. If you are using a high-torque servo or more than one servo, you might need an external power supply.
Code errors: If you see error messages when uploading, ensure that the correct board and port are selected in the Arduino IDE.
In this two-part guide, we’ve introduced the basics of controlling a servo motor with Arduino. From understanding how a servo works to wiring it up and writing the code, you now have all the tools you need to start building your own projects. The Arduino platform is incredibly versatile, and servo motors are just one of the many components you can control.
Whether you’re creating a robot, a camera pan system, or just having fun experimenting, servo motors offer precise control and flexibility in your projects. Now that you’ve mastered the basics, there’s no limit to what you can create with your Arduino and servo motors!
Leveraging innovations in modular drive technology, Kpower integrates high-performance motors, precision reducers, and multi-protocol control systems to provide efficient and customized smart drive system solutions.
Update：2025-10-15
Contact Kpower's product specialist to recommend suitable motor or gearbox for your product.
