Stepper wiring

[monte55]

Just recently got my table up and running. The wiring I am using is #18, 6 conductor, shielded, to my steppers. I basically have two questions. First..my steppers are 4 wire so that that leaves me two extra. Being in the same jacket would it be or not be advisable to use them for home or limit switches.
Someone had commented they could get stray erratic noise from the wires feeding the steppers. comments??????
Second........Each conductor is 7 strands of copper. I don't feel it is flexable
enough for long time service. Does anyone know a source to get 4-6 conductor shielded cable? I just afraid if I let it go one day a wire will break and there goes my driver board. Thanks.................Nick

[ger21]

You might want to check out this seller's Ebay store.
http://cgi.ebay.com/CNC-Wire-20-4-st...QQcmdZViewItem

[monte55]

GER21.........Actually thats the place where I got my wiring but mine is 18g x6 conductor shielded. I don't think it's flexable enough for continous moving of a gantry.
It has a plastic type jacket and each conductor has 7 strands. I would like to see more strands and a rubber jacket. How important is having the conductors shielded? Does it need shielding just when the cable passes by other wiring. I seen on the zone where some guys were using regular speaker wiring. Then again I've seen cnc tables made out of gas pipe, plywood and roller skate wheels. Thanks .........nick

[HayTay]

Originally Posted by monte55 Does anyone know a source to get 4-6 conductor shielded cable? Thanks.................Nick

Take a look at these two vendors:

Electronics Plus, Inc.

Action Electronics

[Willbird]

I bought a 12/4 unshielded at Lowes, I know that does not answer your OP question but thought it worthy of mention, the cable was NOT shown on their sample board of wtat is avail but the associate told me that does not mean they do not have something so it is good to ask. The cable was $1.69 per foot as I recall, have not used it yet so cannot say if it is going to work or not :-).

We have some heavily shielded 4 conductter at work, I think it is a devicenet com cable, BUT 2 of the conducters are a differant gauge than the other 2, it does have a drain (I assume that is what it is...a 5th bare wire)...and each of the insulated wires is individually wrapped in foil shielding....the differant wire gauges is a deal breaker on that cable I would assume.

Bill