Re: distance from controller to stepper

On 17 Oct, CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@egroups.com wrote:

> Can someone give me advice on what is maximun distance.
>
> I want to be able to roll my plasma cutting table outside the shop
> approx. 25ft.
>
> Can I use around 25ft. of cable from the controller to the steppers...

An accurate answer would require some information on the size of the
stepper being used.

However, assuming we're talking about a stepper up to 10 amps or so
( likely all NEMA 34 and probably most NEMA 43 motors as well ), I would
suggest that it's be better to lengthen the run from the controller to
the stepper than to lengthen the run from the computer to the
controller.

If you lengthen the "high power" run from the controller to the motor
AND YOU USE adequately sized wire, the worst thing that will happen over
a 25ft run will be that the maximum step rate will be reduced slightly
due to the added inductance of the cable.

The wires should not get the least bit warmer - if they do, you're
using way too small a gauge of wire.

If however, you choose to lengthen the distance between the controller
and the computer, you run a very great risk of malfunction, from missed
steps to erratic performance to not running at all. The "low power"
electronics are more sensitive than the "high power" to lead length.

Alan




--

Alan Rothenbush | The Spartans do not ask the number of the
Academic Computing Services | enemy, only where they are.
Simon Fraser University |
Burnaby, B.C., Canada | Agix of Sparta