1. What is a Stepper Motor Voltage Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the voltage required to drive a stepper motor based on its inductance and the rate of current change.

Purpose: It helps engineers and hobbyists properly size power supplies and drivers for stepper motor applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Faraday's law of induction:

Where:

• \( V \) — Voltage (Volts)
• \( L \) — Inductance (Henry)
• \( \frac{dI}{dt} \) — Rate of current change (Amperes/second)

Explanation: The voltage is directly proportional to both the inductance and how quickly you want to change the current through the motor windings.

3. Importance of Voltage Calculation

Details: Proper voltage calculation ensures the motor receives enough voltage to achieve desired current changes, preventing missed steps or poor performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the motor's inductance (typically in mH), desired current change, and the time over which this change should occur. All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is inductance important for stepper motors?
A: Inductance limits how quickly current can change in the windings, affecting maximum step rate and torque at higher speeds.

Q2: What's a typical stepper motor inductance?
A: Most stepper motors have inductance in the range of 1-10 mH (0.001-0.010 H) per phase.

Q3: How do I determine the current change rate?
A: This depends on your desired motor performance - faster acceleration requires higher dI/dt values.

Q4: Can I use this for other inductive loads?
A: Yes, the formula applies to any inductor, but parameters will differ for other applications.

Q5: Does this account for back EMF?
A: No, this is the minimum required voltage - actual voltage needed may be higher due to back EMF at speed.