Whats the difference between xPhase Stepper Motors?

[roberto]

Hi im very new to this, anyone could give some explanation about the difference between the 3 Phase, 4 Phase, 5 Phase , x Phase stepper motors. What mean the phase thing (could sound very noobish, but better ask than live in ignorance) Im trying to use some motors that i found in the Junk with a DIY controller by David Setya Atmaja, and the controller NEEDS to be hooked with 5 Phase Stepper Motors, so i dont want to blow anything before being sure.

Any help will be very appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[JRoque]

Hello Roberto and welcome. Phases are, simply put, motor windings. For example, my stepper motors have 4 phases, each with a pair of wires that I hook up to the 4 outputs of my controller (and ground). Phases are energized in sequence to make the motor move in one direction or the other. Check out this excellent motor tutorial from ST:
http://www.st.com/stonline/products/...l/tutorial.htm

Regards,
Julio

[roberto]

Excellent tutorial, know i know that Phases are referred to the motor windings, BUT how can i tell how many windings my motor have? I was trying to find the motor specs thru Google but no reference found.

The motor got 6 wires (White, Black, Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange)
It says on the label Sanyo Denki 103-540-1551 1.8Deg/Step 24Ohm

Now what?

[JRoque]

Hey Roberto. For 6 wires it's common to have 4 phases: 1 wire per each phase plus 2 grounds. Something like the pic below. Note that this type of motor is also known as 2 phases or sides but the important thing to remember is that you get 4 distinct windings to drive. Other motors have 8 wires but they still have the same number of windings but with discreet grounds.

Regards,
JR

[roberto]

Thanks JRoque , i really appreciate your help, the phases doubt is cleared. Now i know my motors got 4 phases. Too bad for me i already build the interface for 5 Phase unipolar motors, now its time to dig the Junk and try to find some motors that suite my needs.