user55783: Is it fine to use L298 N Dual H Bridge Stepper Motor Driver Module to control power of other ICs in a multiple microcontroller setup?
I intend to reduce power consumption in by powering communication ICs through the H bridge to allow switcching them off if not needed. Does a L298 based H bridge module like shown below supply clean stable DC current to someting like the ESP8266?
Module shown below contains condensators, i assume to reduce ripple effect created by L298.


user4143: While it may be possible to bend one of those to your proposed usage, it's far from ideal, for a number of reasons:

It's far more expensive than the single P-FET that you need to get the job done
It's risky: you can easily reverse the current through your components and blow them up
It imposes a ground offset which can cause you communication problems.

All you need is a single P-channel MOSFET (assuming you are switching 5V with a 5V logic signal) and a single resistor (10kΩ would be fine, but any large value is ok).

simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
Pull the GPIO LOW and the power switches on. As simple as that.
If you want to switch a higher voltage then simple use an N-channel MOSFET to pull the GPIO line LOW for you - which you then switch with your GPIO signal.

55783: <p>Is it fine to use L298 N Dual H Bridge Stepper Motor Driver Module to control power of other ICs in a multiple microcontroller setup?</p>

<p>I intend to reduce power consumption in by powering communication ICs through the H bridge to allow switcching them off if not needed. Does a L298 based H bridge module like shown below supply clean stable DC current to someting like the ESP8266?</p>

<p>Module shown below contains condensators, i assume to reduce ripple effect created by L298.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dLMNI.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/dLMNI.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
 4143: <p>While it <em>may</em> be possible to bend one of those to your proposed usage, it's far from ideal, for a number of reasons:</p>

<ol>
<li>It's far more expensive than the single P-FET that you need to get the job done</li>
<li>It's risky: you can easily reverse the current through your components and blow them up</li>
<li>It imposes a ground offset which can cause you communication problems.</li>
</ol>

<p>All you need is a single P-channel MOSFET (assuming you are switching 5V with a 5V logic signal) and a single resistor (10kΩ would be fine, but any large value is ok).</p>



<p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/gGpG7.png" alt="schematic"></p>



<p><sup><a href="/plugins/schematics?image=http%3a%2f%2fi.stack.imgur.com%2fgGpG7.png">simulate this circuit</a> &ndash; Schematic created using <a href="https://www.circuitlab.com/" rel="nofollow">CircuitLab</a></sup></p>

<p>Pull the GPIO LOW and the power switches on. As simple as that.</p>

<p>If you want to switch a higher voltage then simple use an N-channel MOSFET to pull the GPIO line LOW for you - which you then switch with your GPIO signal.</p>
