Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] question for Mariss

Tim,
Sorry but this whole explanation makes it as clear as mud...
I expect my 45 years in electronics simply are not enough to understand why the DATA SHEET labels the connection as +5V and the Silk Screen Printing says COMMON....
In my world ( I may be alone) when a connection is labeled COMMON, it implies Ground. Otherwise the term COMMON would be qualified with some other explanation.

Best Regards
Hans W

Tim Goldstein wrote:

> This point seems to get many people even though it is very simple. Seems
> we just have the idea stuck in our head that signal wires always have to
> be + voltage and the supply to them ground.
>
> Gecko G201 and G320 drives ALWAYS use +5 v on the logic common pin. This
> +5 V MUST be from a source that is grounded to the parallel port or the
> drive will not step. If you use the +5 V from an unused drive connector
> in the computer, the game port, or the USB port it will already be
> common on the ground side to the computer (meaning if you put a DVM
> between the +5 V supply and a ground on the parallel port you actually
> get a reading of 5 V. If you do not get a 5 v (or darn close) reading
> than the drive will not step). If you choose for some crazy reason to
> use an external +5 V supply you MUST connect the ground of it to the
> computer for the drive to work and other than making things more
> complicated did absolutely nothing positive.
>
> The G210 and the G340 allow you to change the meaning of the logic
> common so that it can be +5 V (identical to the way a G210 and G320
> work) or it can be ground.
>
> Now is everyone clear on the connections?
>
> Here is what you have with a G201/G320 or a G210/G340 set to +5 V
> common. The common terminal on the Gecko is one end of the step and
> direction optos. The step pin and the direction pin are the other ends.
>
> --+5v-----------
> | |
> Step Dir (opto in drive)
> | |
> | |
> Step Dir (parallel port Pin)
>
> Now when the parallel port pin goes low (0 v or ground) current flows
> through the opto and it lights. When the parallel port pin goes high (+5
> V) there is no potential across the opto so no current flows and the
> opto is dark. OK, everyone get it. This means the opto is active
> (lights) when the parallel port is low.
>
> Here is what you have with a G210/G340 set to 0 V (ground) common. The
> common terminal on the Gecko is now the opposite end of the step and
> direction optos. The step pin and the direction pin are the other ends.
>
> Step Dir (parallel port Pin)
> | |
> Step Dir (opto in drive)
> | |
> | |
> --0v (ground)----
>
> Now when the parallel port pin goes low high (+5 V) current flows
> through the opto and it lights. When the parallel port pin goes (0 v or
> ground) there is no potential across the opto so no current flows and
> the opto is dark. OK, everyone get it. This means the opto is active
> (lights) when the parallel port is high.
>
> Tim
> [Denver, CO]
> Sherline products at Deep Discount
> Mach1 & DeskCNC with credit card ordering
> www.KTMarketing.com/Sherline
> Now selling Visual Mill 4.0 Special price $1200
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> >
> > when i review the documentation for the drives, your specification
> > page refers to a +5vdc ,but on the physical drive itself that
> > particular position says "common" what does this mean?
> > i also downloaded a wiring schematic created by Donald Brock
> > that outlined a typical gecko g320 mock-up. here he has the
> > +5vdc from the computer hooked up to the corresponding
> > +5vdc/common position on the drive. can this position be
> > +5vdc or ground ? do you know what pins and ports will
> > provide +5volts?
> >
> > thanks for you help.
>
> > FAQ: http://www.ktmarketing.com/faq.html
>
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