When considering what type of applications VIPower H-Bridges are suited for, look for the need to drive a bi-directional motor. A bi-directional motor requires current to flow in either direction, so a designer needs an H-Bridge as shown here. So with that in mind, STMicro knows that if it is not a bi-directional motion control issue, an H-Bridge is probably not needed. The second thing designers need that keeps them from using a relay is speed control, where designers want to PWM (Pulse Width Modulate) the load current. Some of ST’s devices are not very good at that, and this presentation will address what can be done to allow those parts to still be usable. Other things designers would look for are protected drivers because these outputs are all protected from shorts to supply, shorts to ground as well as across the load. Also when selecting a device ST looks for what is the current range of the load. These parts can drive something as low as an amp or even less all the way up to 15 amps, depending on the ambient temperatures and the effectiveness of the heat sinking on the circuit board. All of these devices, are surface mount parts, so that means that they would require heat sinking through the circuit board itself. There are many bi-directional motion control applications that need speed control or protected outputs in these current ranges in automotive, industrial and medical applications.