[sci.electronics] stepper current

hbg6@citek.mcdphx.mot.com (04/26/91)

How do you calculate the current drawn by a stepper motor.
Given the  (crude) illustration below. I measured the
current through the common lead of winding #1. ( .47A )
Is this the motor current as specified by motor drivers
or do you double it to account for winding #2 ?
Also, is the motor current as specified on the end of the
motor the current through one winding, one side of one
winding, or the sum of all of them?


  winding  --------     --
                   )  /    \
    1      --------  | rotor|
                   )  \    /
           --------     --
                       /\ /\
                      |  |  |
                      |  |  |
                      |  |  |
                   winding 2

I'd rather not figure this  out by "smoke-testing" several $185.00 motors!
Thanks,
John