A servo motor is a type of motor designed for precise control of angular position, making it ideal for applications like robotics, RC vehicles, automation, and control systems. It’s compact, easy to control using microcontrollers (like ESP32, Arduino, etc.), and widely used in DIY electronics.

🔧 1. What is a Servo Motor?

A servo motor is an actuator that rotates to a specific angle based on a control signal.

✅ Key Characteristics:

⚙️ 2. Internal Components of a Servo

Inside a typical servo motor:

• 🌀 DC Motor – Provides the rotation.
• ⚙️ Gearbox – Reduces speed, increases torque.
• 🎯 Potentiometer – Measures current position.
• 📢 Control Circuit – Compares target angle vs actual angle, adjusts motor.

This closed-loop system allows the servo to “know” where it is and adjust itself to reach the desired position.

📐 3. Types of Servo Motors

🔌 4. Servo Motor Pinout

Most servo motors have 3 wires:

⚠️ Power your servo from an external source if it draws high current (>500mA).

🔁 5. How Servo Control Works

Servos are controlled using PWM (Pulse Width Modulation).

⏱️ PWM Signal Details:

• 50 Hz frequency (20ms period)
• Pulse width determines angle:
  • 0.5ms – 1ms → 0°
  • 1.5ms → 90°
  • 2ms → 180°

The duration of the HIGH signal tells the servo what angle to move to.

🧠 6.ESP32 Servo Example Code

🛠 Required Library:

• Arduino: Servo.h
• ESP32: ESP32Servo.h

✅ Basic Example:

#include <ESP32Servo.h>
#define GATE 18


Servo myservo;

void setup() {

  myservo.attach(GATE);

  Serial.begin(9600);
 


}

void loop() {
 
 
  myservo.write(90);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(180);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(90);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(0);
  delay(1000);

}

#include <ESP32Servo.h>
#define GATE 18


Servo myservo;

void setup() {

  myservo.attach(GATE);

  Serial.begin(9600);
 


}

void loop() {
 
 
  myservo.write(90);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(180);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(90);
  delay(1000);
  myservo.write(0);
  delay(1000);

}

⚠️ 7. Power Considerations

• Servo motors draw a lot of current, especially under load.
• Don’t power them directly from ESP32/Arduino’s 3.3V or 5V pin.
• Use a separate power supply (like 5V adapter or batteries) and connect GNDs together.

🧪 8. Common Uses of Servo Motors

• 🤖 Robotics – Arm joints, grippers, walkers
• ✈️ RC planes/cars/boats – Steering, throttle
• 🎮 Pan-Tilt camera systems
• 🧠 Automation systems – Smart locks, servo-based switches
• 🕹 Joystick-controlled actuators