Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: Wire / Cable Type to use for a 180 oz / 1.66 amp stepper motor

On Sun, Mar 9, 2008 at 9:32 AM, Chris Horne <chris@...> wrote:

> I have locking plugs connecting the cables to the control unit.

Chris reminds me of another important point. Just as important as the
type and size of cable is the type and size of connectors you use at
each end. The first iteration of my CNC Taig mill used small molex
plugs, which didn't make a very good connection and weren't sealed
against chip ingress. The best choice is the MilSpec style multipin
sealed plugs with the threaded locking ring, usually sold under the
trade name Amphenol. You can get them in both panel mount and cable
mount varieties, great for connecting motors and encoders back to the
enclosure housing the driver boards. You can usually find them
surplus or NOS for reasonable prices. If you are lucky, you can find
one of the styles which have several different wire gauges in the same
connector. For example, you might have a handful of heavier gauge
wire for the motor power leads, and smaller wires for home and limit
switches, encoders, etc.
http://www.bluefeathertech.com/connectors.html has a description and
some information about the plugs.

If you can't find the Amphenol plugs, another good choice is Jones
Plugs, which are rugged, high impact, high current capacity plugs.
Although not sealed, they have a wide pin spacing and there is no
exposed metal when the plugs are connected. The contacts on the rear
of the plugs are much easier to solder to than the traditional solder
cup style, IMO. They are polarized and fit well onto cables. These
are what I used on the plugs of my CNC Taig. They didn't have any
8-conductor plugs, so I bought the 12 conductor ones, spread out the
wires a little bit, and still have 4 pins left over for when I add
limit and home switches (emphasis on the "when"). They snap together
very well and have a good solid "feel". I put a single wrap of
electrical tape around the plugs when they are mated together, to
prevent that single errant chip from making its way inside the
connection.
Let me know if you have questions
Michael