Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Stepper Motor (was: Harrison Lathe and Gecko's)

James Owens wrote:

>Hi Jan,
>
>I had already done what you describe to get the 0.4 ohms. What I wanted to
>test was the insulation of the windings and didn't know if, using a high
>voltage insulation tester (yes mine is a mega), will damage the motor in any
>way? This is normally done, where a motor is suspected of over heating or in
>my case I don't know the history of it, by putting one probe on a wire/coil
>and the casing and then doing the other coil. Any breakdown in the
>insulation shows up as leakage.
>
>

If you can set your megger to apply no more than 150 V or so, then go
ahead. If it
will apply 600 or more, you will almost certainly damage the insulation
of the motor.
This may or may not cause an immediate short to ground, but it is likely
to cause
that to happen eventually. Note that many stepper drivers do not sense
shorts to
ground, to they will burn up, too.

Testing with a DVM that only puts 3 V or so on the windings is a LOT safer.

Jon