[ynneb]

I am trying to work on a set of drawings that makes it very easy to understand how to wire Gecko stepper drives. (Even for those of us who are electricallly challenged)
I need help with knowing about the stepper resistors. I presume they are wired in series with the windings? What is the formula for working out the size of resistors needed?
What other aspects need to be taken into account when doing these drawings.
Your input will help me and others here too.

This is a beta drawing and should not be use as a wiring guide.

[ger21]

I need help with knowing about the stepper resistors. I presume they are wired in series with the windings?

There are no resistors, other than the current set resistor.

[TommyB]

Make sure your +5V and 24-80V power supply have a common ground, along with your step and dir signals.

[ynneb]

Ger, does that mean the gecko drives are designed in such a way that they do not require the power resistors, unlike in some other board designs ?

Tommy, from my understanding the 5 volts DC comes from the printer cable itself. are you suggesting that a ground wire be run from the computer case to the stepper power supply? I cant understand why? could you please explain this further. Thanks.

[HillBilly]

The grounds can be connected, but should not have to be.

Darek

[ynneb]

My intention is to build a one stop file that includes everything from wiring the printer ports, building a power supply, wiring the drives, etc.

What else should I include in this drawing?

[Al_The_Man]

I would say three of the important criteria for any installation is shielding, common grounding and not to daisy chain the power supply from drive to drive.
Al.

[ger21]

Ger, does that mean the gecko drives are designed in such a way that they do not require the power resistors, unlike in some other board designs ?

Tommy, from my understanding the 5 volts DC comes from the printer cable itself. are you suggesting that a ground wire be run from the computer case to the stepper power supply? I cant understand why? could you please explain this further. Thanks.

Chopper drives don't use current limiting resistors. Only some of the cheaper unipolar non chopper boards.

[ynneb]

Does any one know where I can find a standard pin configuration for wiring a printer port for a standard 3 axis machine?

[ynneb]

Good points AL, What are the wires that need sheilding? And where do the shilds go to? Ground?

[ynneb]

Cooling suggestions.

[JavaDog]

Looks nice so far Benny! Going to do one for the servo drivers?

[Al_The_Man]

It pays to set up a common ground point and take everything to there, including one end of the cable shields.
Siemens have an article on grounding.http://www.automation.siemens.com/do...05_e&scope=all
This is a bit extensive, but you can pick the bones out of it.
Look at EMC planning.
Al.

[Richards]

Connecting the stepper supply ground to signal ground is not normally done. On the G212 drives that I have the documentation states, "These inputs are optically isolated from the rest of the drive."

In all the process control computers that I've designed, built and programmed over the last twenty-five years, one constant source of electrical noise problems was caused when my customers connected the different circuits that were optically isolated from each other together.

Mike

[CJL5585]

Someone suggested that the drive voltage and the 5 Volts should have a common ground.

That is NOT a good idea.

All signals to the breakout board are referenced to the computer PSC (power supply common). The 5V supply ground should go to pins 18 thru 25 on the breakout board. The 5V has to be referenced to the TTL voltage of the computer printer port. Connecting this ground to any other ground can cause ground loops, and can under the right conditions blow up the parallel printer card OR the computer.

Some here on the Zone recommend tying all the grounds togather at a common point. This is proper for ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT such as electrical enclosures, relays, motors, and so forth, but not for electronic equipment which utilizes the latest in integrated electronic circuits.

With 40 years experience working with the latest and greatest in electronic technology, MY equipment power supplies are floating. I personally recommend grounding the equipment chassis to the utility earth ground. I also mount all equipment to the chassis and allow the enclosures to act like a Faraday Shield (recommended by NASA). None of the power supply voltages are connected to the chassis as a common connection, because lightening will follow those paths and cause high ground currents, which cause extremely high electrical fields from induction, which will cause your equipment to become a CRISPY CRITTER.

Just normal electrical grounding methods DO NOT WORK with the voltages and designs used in modern integrated circuits and equipment. Electronics equipment requires an entirely different approach.

Do yourself a favor, follow the above methods, and possibly save yourself a lot of grief if you live in the Southeast part of the US or other lightening prone area.

Jerry

[pminmo]

Benny,
Some help here:
http://pminmo.com/pport/pport.htm

http://pminmo.com/simpleps.htm

Phil

[OCNC]

Benny-

Great idea and very nice graphics!

Chris

[ynneb]

Thanks Phil those links are great. It is almost tempting just to use your work as it is. I will modify it a bit so as to fit my drawings.

Final drawing for cooling suggestions.

[ger21]

Benny, if you spend a few extra bucks and get G202's (or G212's), no fans or heatsinks are required. The little extra money is well spent, as you get a more durable drive (miswiring or shorts won't kill it, either), and an easier install.

[TommyB]

Ok, so what is the 5V referenced to in the Gecko drive??????? If you have three wires from your port, step, dir and 5V, what does the drive reference that to??????? Please explain that one. There has to be a ground from the port hooked up to the gecko.