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Connections to 6-lead Motors
Like 8 lead stepping motors, 6 lead motors have two configurations available for high speed or high torque operation.
The higher speed configuration, or half coil, is so described because it uses one half of the motor’s inductor windings.
The higher torque configuration, or full coil, uses the full windings of the phases.
Half Coil Configurations
As previously stated, the half coil configuration uses 50% of the motor phase windings. This gives lower inductance,
hence, lower torque output. Like the parallel connection of 8 lead motor, the torque output will be more stable at higher
speeds. This configuration is also referred to as half chopper. In setting the driver output current multiply the specified
per phase (or unipolar) current rating by 1.4 to determine the peak output current.
Figure 6: 6-lead motor half coil (higher speed) connections
Full Coil Configurations
The full coil configuration on a six lead motor should be used in applications where higher torque at lower speeds is
desired. This configuration is also referred to as full copper. In full coil mode, the motors should be run at only 70% of
their rated current to prevent over heating.
Figure 7: 6-lead motor full coil (higher torque) connections
Connections to 8-lead Motors
8 lead motors offer a high degree of flexibility to the system designer in that they may be connected in series or parallel,
thus satisfying a wide range of applications.
Series Connections
A series motor configuration would typically be used in applications where a higher torque at lower speeds is required.
Because this configuration has the most inductance, the performance will start to degrade at higher speeds. In series
mode, the motors should also be run at only 70% of their rated current to prevent over heating.
