Twisted Pair for Stepper power cables?

[steveharr]

Hi, I am salvaging steppers, power supply and driver boards from an old Photo type setting machine to make a small cnc router.

In the documentation it says the power supply cable to the stepper motors (26VDC) should be two 18AWG twisted pairs and unfortunatly the cable is not here. My questions:
1) Why does it need to be twisted pairs?
2) Does it mean put a + and - in the pair?
3) Can I twist my own 18 AWG cable and will it do?

Thanks,

Steve.

[vger]

They probably specified twisted pair to keep electrical noise from getting into other parts of the machine. You can probably get away without it. I used automotive trailer light cable for mine.

Steve

[johnmac]

Yes, you can twist your own. I would guess about 1 twist per inch would do.

John