SG-90 Servo Motor 360 Degree Rotation

Description

The SG-90 360° Servo Motor is a compact and lightweight servo motor commonly used as an actuator in robotics, RC toys, and DIY electronics projects. Its small size and low weight make it particularly useful in multi-degree-of-freedom robots such as biped robots, hexapods, robotic arms, and humanoid robots.

Unlike standard hobby servos that normally provide positional control between 0° and 180°, this SG-90 version is designed for continuous 360° rotation. It works more like a geared motor, making it suitable for applications where continuous rotation is required rather than precise angular positioning. It can also be used in RC toy steering and other mechanisms that require compact motorized movement.

Selecting the Servo Motor

There are different types of servo motors, and the right choice depends on the requirements of your project. Most hobby servo motors operate around 4.8V to 6.5V, with higher voltage generally providing greater torque. Standard plastic-gear servos are suitable for lightweight applications, while metal-gear servos are preferable for applications requiring greater durability and longer operating life.

Standard positional servos generally rotate through a limited angle, commonly 0° to 180°. If your project requires continuous rotation, a 360° servo such as the SG-90 is a better choice. However, continuous-rotation servos do not provide the same precise angular position control as standard positional servos.

How to Use

The SG-90 has three wires for power and control. Connect the Red wire to +5V, the Brown wire to Ground, and provide a PWM control signal through the Orange wire. A PWM signal can be generated using a microcontroller such as Arduino, PIC, ARM, or similar development platforms.

The servo can be controlled by generating a suitable PWM signal. For typical hobby servo control, a signal frequency around 50Hz is commonly used. In a standard positional servo, changing the pulse width determines the shaft position. However, this 360° SG-90 is designed for continuous rotation, so the PWM signal is used primarily to control its direction and speed, rather than positioning it at a specific angle.

Applications

The SG-90 360° Servo Motor can be used in a variety of compact robotics and electronics projects, including:

• Biped robots
• Hexapod robots
• Robotic arms and mechanisms
• Humanoid and multi-DOF robots
• RC toys and steering systems
• Arduino and microcontroller projects
• DIY robotic systems requiring continuous rotation

Important Note: This motor is a 360° continuous-rotation servo and does not rotate to a specific angle like a conventional 0°–180° positional servo. It works similarly to a geared motor, with its rotation controlled through the PWM signal.

Specification

• Operating Voltage: +5V typically
• Torque: 2.5 kg/cm
• Operating Speed: 0.1 sec/60°
• Gear Type: Plastic
• Rotation: 0°–360° continuous rotation
• Motor Weight: 9g
• Control: PWM
• Wire Configuration:
  • Brown: Ground
  • Red: +5V power
  • Orange: PWM signal
• Package Includes: Gear horns and screws