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Associate III
June 28, 2025
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Different output configurations: Push-Pull, Open-Drain, Pull-Up, Pull-Down, etc

  • June 28, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 455 views

Hi Usualy I see terms called pushpull configuration,open drain, pull up ,pull down and so on.what are the difference between them

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Best answer by Andrew Neil

These are general electronics terms - nothing specific to STM32 or even ST:

 

PS:

It is conventional to refer to the supply voltage as "up" and ground as "down"; hence:

  • A Pull-Up pulls "up" to the supply voltage; 
  • A Pull-Down pulls "down" to ground. 

Again, nothing specific to STM32.

 

PPS:

Source/Sourcing and Sink/Sinking are also common terms relevant here:

 

AndrewNeil_1-1751104003344.png
https://electronicsclub.info/ics.htm#:~:text=Sinking%20and%20sourcing%20current

 

  • A Push-Pull output can both source and sink;
  • An Open-Drain (or Open-Collector) output can only sink.

 

#SourceSink #SourcingSinking #PushPull #OpenDrain #OpenCollector #PullUp #PullDown

2 replies

Andrew Neil
Andrew NeilBest answer
Super User
June 28, 2025

These are general electronics terms - nothing specific to STM32 or even ST:

 

PS:

It is conventional to refer to the supply voltage as "up" and ground as "down"; hence:

  • A Pull-Up pulls "up" to the supply voltage; 
  • A Pull-Down pulls "down" to ground. 

Again, nothing specific to STM32.

 

PPS:

Source/Sourcing and Sink/Sinking are also common terms relevant here:

 

AndrewNeil_1-1751104003344.png
https://electronicsclub.info/ics.htm#:~:text=Sinking%20and%20sourcing%20current

 

  • A Push-Pull output can both source and sink;
  • An Open-Drain (or Open-Collector) output can only sink.

 

#SourceSink #SourcingSinking #PushPull #OpenDrain #OpenCollector #PullUp #PullDown

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
Andrew Neil
Super User
July 8, 2025

@Alex_reynold - did that answer your question?

If so, please mark the solution; if not, what needs clarification?

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.