What to use for wiring stepper motors?

[CNC Darren]

What do you guys use to wire your stepper motors to your controler card? I was thinking of using cat5 networking cable but the wire in it is pretty small.

Darren

[Al_The_Man]

I am not sure what gauge the Cat5 is but I have gone over to using an Ethernet cable (Belden 9891) for encoders, it offers excellent shielding and has the bonus of 1 pair being larger for power, if the current is not high you should be able to use it for steppers maybe.
It has 3x 22 gauge pair and 1x 20 gauge pair. Individually shielded pairs and overall shield.
Al

[CNC Darren]

from a piece of cat5 it says 24awg, my steppers are 6v 1.2a

[Al_The_Man]

In the NFPA control code 24 gauge is rated at 2 amps.
Al

[CNC Darren]

Thanks! i'll give it a try. I think it would make wiring alot easier.

[RotarySMP]

I use shielded 4 wire 0.75mm2 microphone cable. It is nice and flexible.

[CNC Darren]

that would work grest but i'm wiring unipolar motors...6 wire

[CNC Darren]

Well I tired CAT5 cable and it seens to work and handel the power fine. just have to see how well it will hold up when it gets some use on it.

[Ryobiguy]

Don't forget that steppers can throw some current back into the line. I don't know if it could cause the current to peak too much, but it's something to keep in mind.

That would look really funny to see some small stepper with an RJ45 on it, though.