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Helpful Information
Stepper Motors Common Causes for Failure
Frequent Causes for Stepper Motors and/or Stepper Driver Failure
NOTE: Always read the condition sheet/user's guide that accompanies each product

Problem: Intermittent or erratic basic stepper motors or drivers operation.
Solution: This is the most frequent cause of failure and 1 of the most problematic to detect. Begin by checking to insure that all connections are snug between basic stepper motors and drivers. Evidence of discoloration at the terminals/connections, may denote an insecure connection. When replacing a basic stepper motor, driver or Driver Pack in a motion control system, be sure to inspect all terminal blocks and connectors. Check cabling/wiring for precision. Stress basic stepper motor wiring and connections for amiss conditions and check with an ohmmeter.

Problem: Standard Stepper motor wires were disconnected while the driver was forceed up.
Solution: Avoid performing any service to the basic stepper motors or drivers while the force is on, especially in regard to motor connections. This precaution is critical for both the driver, as well as the technician/installer.

Problem: Inenough system performance.
Solution: Check to see if the wire/cables are too lengthy. Keep wire/cable to the standard stepper motors under 25 feet in length. For applications where the wiring from the basic stepper motors to the stepper drivers exceeds 25 feet, please touch the factory for instructions, as it is likely that temporal voltage protection devices will be required. Another possibility is that the standard stepper motor lead wires are of a gauge that is too short. Do not match your cable wires to the gauge size the standard stepper motor lead wires. Anaheim Automation suggests using a shielded cable for such wiring (bought separately). Additionally, check the age of your standard stepper motor, as with time and use, standard stepper motors lose most of their magnetism which affects performance. Commonly 1 can expect 10,000 operating hours for basic stepper motors (approximately 4.8 years, running 1 eight-hour shift per work day). Also, make certain that your basic stepper motor and driver combination is a acceptable match for your application. Contact the factory, should you have any concerns.

Problem: The basic stepper motor has a shorted winding or a short to the motor case.
Solution: It is likely that you have a abnormal basic stepper motor. Do not attempt to repair motors. Opening the basic stepper motor case may de-magnetize the motor, causing poor performance. Opening of the basic stepper motor case will also void your warranty. The motor windings can be examed with an ohmmeter. As a rule of thumb, if the basic stepper motor is a frame size of NEMA 08, 11, 14, 15, 17, 23, or 34 and the warranty period has expired, it is not cost-effective to return these basic stepper motors for repair. Call the factory if your suspect a abnormal basic stepper motor that is still under warranty, or if it is a NEMA size 42 or a K-series motor.

Problem: The basic stepper motor driver or Driver Pack is over-heating.
Solution: Ventilation and cooling accommodations are vital - failure to provide enough airflow will affect the basic stepper motor driver's performance and will shorten the life of the driver. Keep driver temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius. To maintain acceptable airflow, use fans, heat sink material, and base plates, so not to exceed the elevatedest temperature rating of the basic stepper motors, drivers or controllers. Be mindful of temperatures inside cabinets and enclosures where stepper drivers may be mounted.

Problem: Environmental factors are less than normal.
Solution: Environmental factors, such as welding, chemical vapors, moisture, humidity, dust, etc., can harm both the electronics and the basic stepper motors. Protect drivers, controllers and basic stepper motors from environments that are wearing, contain voltage spikes, or prevent acceptable ventilation. For AC lines that contain voltage spikes, a line regulator (filter) will be required.

Problem: Pulse rates (Clock or Step) to the driver are too elevated.
Solution: The typical half-step driver can drive basic stepper motors at a elevatedest rate of 20,000 pulse per 2nd. Pulse rates of above 60,000 pulses per 2nd can harm the driver. See distinct condition sheets for the motor and driver combination for optimum performance.

Problem: The basic stepper motor is stalling.
Solution: In many cases, stalling the motor causes a enormous voltage spike that often harms the phase transistors on the driver. Some drivers are built to protect itself from such an occurrence. If not, Transient Suppression Instruments can be added externally. Consult the factory for further info.

Problem: The basic stepper motor is back-driving the driver.
Solution: A basic stepper motor that is being turned by a load creates a back EMF voltage on the driver. Higher speeds will produce elevateder voltage levels. If the rotational speed gets overly elevated, this voltage might cause harm to the driver. This is especially dangerous when the motor is back-driven while the driver is still on. Put a mechanical stop or brake in applications that might be subject to these phenomena.

General Safety Considerations for Stepper Motor Applications

The following safety considerations must be observed during all stages of operation, service and repair. Failure to comply with these precautions violates safety basics of design, manufacture, and intended use of basic stepper motors, drivers and controllers. Even well built products, operated or installed imsuitablely, can be unpredictable. Safety precautions absolutely must be observed by the user with respect to the load and operating environment. The customer is responsible for suitable selection, installation and operation of the products bought.

• Use caution when handling, examining, and adjusting during installation, set-up and operation • Service should not be performed with force applied • Exposed circuitry should be suitablely guarded or enclosed to prevent unauthorized human touch with live circuitry • Many products should be securely mounted and enoughly grounded • Provide enough air flow and heat dissipation • Dont operate in the presence of flammable gases, vapors, liquids or dust

NOTE: Please Use a RMA Form should you need to return a product for REPAIR. This form can be found in Support, Forms, RMA Request on this web site.

Stepper Motors Common Causes for Failure
Frequent Causes for Stepper Motors and/or Stepper Driver Failure
NOTE: Always read the specification sheet/user's guide that accompanies each product

Problem: Intermittent or erratic step motors or drivers operation.
Solution: This is frequently the cause of failure and 1 of the most intricate to detect. Begin by checking to insure that all connections are tight amidst step motors and drivers. Evidence of discoloration at the terminals/connections, could denote a free connection. When replacing a step motor, driver or Driver Pack in a motion control system, be sure to inspect all terminal blocks and connectors. Check cabling/wiring for certainty. Stress step motor wiring and connections for weak quality conditions and check with an ohmmeter.

Problem: Step motor wires were disconnected while the driver was powered up.
Solution: Avoid performing any service to the step motors or drivers while the power is on, especially in regard to motor connections. This precaution is crucial for both the driver, as well as the technician/installer.

Problem: Weak system performance.
Solution: Check to see if the wire/cables are too lengthy. Keep wire/cable to the step motors under 25 feet in length. For applications where the wiring from the step motors to the stepper drivers exceeds 25 feet, please contact the factory for instructions, as it is likely that transient voltage protection instruments will be required. Another possibility is that the step motor lead wires are of a gauge that is too little. Do not match your cable wires to the gauge size the step motor lead wires. Anaheim Automation suggests using a shielded cable for such wiring (bought separately). Additionally, check the age of your step motor, as with time and use, step motors lose most of their magnetism which affects performance. Generally 1 can expect 10,000 operating hours for step motors (approximately 4.8 years, running 1 eight-hour shift per work day). Also, make certain that your step motor and driver combination is a excellent match for your application. Contact the factory, should you have any concerns.

Problem: The step motor has a shorted winding or a short to the motor case.
Solution: It is likely that you have a damaged step motor. Do not attempt to repair motors. Opening the step motor case could de-magnetize the motor, causing weak performance. Opening of the step motor case will also void your warranty. The motor windings can be tested with an ohmmeter. As a rule of thumb, if the step motor is a frame size of NEMA 08, 11, 14, 15, 17, 23, or 34 and the warranty period has expired, it is not cost-effective to return these step motors for repair. Call the factory if your suspect a damaged step motor that is still under warranty, or if it is a NEMA size 42 or a K-series motor.

Problem: The step motor driver or Driver Pack is over-heating.
Solution: Ventilation and cooling accommodations are crucial - failure to provide adequate airflow will affect the step motor driver's performance and will shorten the life of the driver. Keep driver temperatures below 60 degrees Celsius. To maintain excellent airflow, use fans, heat sink material, and base plates, so not to exceed the foremost temperature rating of the step motors, drivers or controllers. Be mindful of temperatures inside cabinets and enclosures where stepper drivers could be mounted.

Problem: Environmental factors are less than normal.
Solution: Environmental factors, such as welding, chemical vapors, moisture, humidity, dust, etc., can damage both the electronics and the step motors. Protect drivers, controllers and step motors from environments that are wearing, contain voltage spikes, or prevent excellent ventilation. Anaheim Automation provides products in several line voltage ranges. For AC lines that contain voltage spikes, a line regulator (filter) will likely be required.

Problem: Pulse rates (Clock or Step) to the driver are too colossal.
Solution: The typical half-step driver can drive step motors at a foremost rate of 20,000 pulse per second. Pulse rates of above 60,000 pulses per second can damage the driver. See exclusive specification sheets for the motor and driver combination for foremost performance.

Problem: The step motor is stalling.
Solution: In most cases, stalling the motor causes an abundant voltage spike that often damages the phase transistors on the driver. Most drivers are built to protect itself from such an occurrence. If not, Transient Suppression Instruments can be added externally. Consult the factory for further data.

Problem: The step motor is back-driving the driver.
Solution: A step motor that is being turned by a load creates a back EMF voltage on the driver. Higher speeds will produce colossaler voltage levels. If the rotational speed gets intensely colossal, this voltage might cause damage to the driver. This is especially dangerous when the motor is back-driven while the driver is still on. Put a mechanical stop or brake in applications that might be subject to these phenomena.

General Safety Considerations for Stepper Motor Applications

The following safety considerations should be observed during all stages of operation, service and repair. Failure to comply with these precautions violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of step motors, drivers and controllers. Anaheim Automation, Inc. assumes no liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements. Even well built products, operated or installed improperly, can be risky. Safety precautions should be observed by the user with respect to the load and operating environment. The customer is responsible for proper selection, installation and operation of the products bought from Anaheim Automation, Inc.

• Use caution when handling, testing, and adjusting during installation, set-up and operation • Service should not be performed with power applied • Exposed circuitry should be properly guarded or enclosed to prevent unauthorized human contact with live circuitry • All products should be securely mounted and appropriately grounded • Provide adequate air flow and heat dissipation • Do not operate in the presence of flammable gases, vapors, liquids or dust

NOTE: Please Use a RMA Form should you need to return a product for REPAIR. This form can be found in Support, Forms, RMA Request on this web site.