[andy_ck87028]

Hi all

I've checked ebay at times and have seen 5 phase steppers that the zone have said are of little use.

Is it sufficient merely to avoid 5 phase motors or do I only go for 2 phase or is it even more complicated?

Does anyone have a simple explanation or is able to offer some easy to use guidelines?

Thanks

Andy

[jeffs555]

Andy,
The main problem with a 5-phase stepper is that it needs a 5-phase driver, which is not available cheaply except through Ebay.

As for the two-phase steppers, some will be unipolor only and will require a unipolar driver, some will be bipolar only and will require a bipolar driver, and some will work with either unipolar or bipolar drivers. You tell the difference, by the number of wires. A 4-wire stepper is bipolar only. A 5-wire stepper is unipolar only. Six-wire and 8-wire steppers can be used with either bipolar or unipolar drivers.

Unipolar drivers are usually a little cheaper, but the bipolar drivers usually have more modern features. A motor that can be driven either unipolar or bipolar, will usually provide more torque when driven bipolar.

Jeff

[CJL5585]

Hi all

I've checked ebay at times and have seen 5 phase steppers that the zone have said are of little use.

Is it sufficient merely to avoid 5 phase motors or do I only go for 2 phase or is it even more complicated?

Does anyone have a simple explanation or is able to offer some easy to use guidelines?

Thanks

Andy

When purchasing stepper motors get the most flexibility you can. That means purchasing steppers with either 6 or 8 wires. Also, one has more options when making a decision on what kind of drivers to purchase.

They both can be wired either uni-polar or bi-polar. In my opinion bi-polar is the way to go.

The uni-polar model has 2 stepper windings with each winding having a center tap. Thus, 6 wires.

The bi-polar model has the windings broken down into 4 separate windings, which requires 8 wires. PURCHASE 8 WIRE STEPPERS IF YOU CAN.

The flexibility factor comes into play when wiring up the steppers. The series or parallel wiring will depend upon the stepper driver voltage and the amount of torque required from the steppers.

I personally do not have any experience with the 5 phase steppers, although the wiring for them appears to be a lot more complex than standard units.

Hope this helps.
Jerry

EDIT: Was a little slow in completing my post, so I ended up being 2nd in replying.

[andy_ck87028]

Hi guys

The info above is very useful (thanks) but I've found another factor - 4 phase
(look at http://www.pro.com.sg/STEPPER.htm)

Aside from bipolar / unipolar which I am fine with, is the golden rule with respect to number of phases "steer clear of 5 phase" or is it a bit more complex?

Andy

[jeffs555]

I think when they talk about a 4-phase stepper motor, they are just talking about a 5-wire unipolar stepper. It has a center tap wire, and four phase wires. Like has been said before, the most versatile are the 6 or 8 wire motors.

[CJL5585]

Hi guys

The info above is very useful (thanks) but I've found another factor - 4 phase
(look at http://www.pro.com.sg/STEPPER.htm)

Aside from bipolar / unipolar which I am fine with, is the golden rule with respect to number of phases "steer clear of 5 phase" or is it a bit more complex?

Andy

A FOUR PHASE IS an 8 wire motor.