How to Wire a Stepper

Connecting your stepper wires incorrectly will result in the motor not functioning.

A conventional motor’s rotor rotates constantly, whereas a stepper motor’s rotor moves in steps. Stepper motors are defined by the All about Circuits website as being “digital” versions of an electronic motor. Bipolar and Unipolar stepper motors are wired differently and the placement of the wires determine which direction the rotor will move in the stepper motor.

Things You'll Need

• Stepper motor manual
• Screwdriver
• Stepper motor driver

Instructions

1. Locate the four wire terminals per the manufacturer’s manual. Using a thin marker, label each wire terminal as follows: A+, A-, B+ then B-.

2. Unscrew the screws holding the pins in place on the stepper motor, but do not remove them. The pins should be labeled the same as the wire terminals: A+, A-, B+ and B-.

3. Wrap the wires from the four-wire stepper motor to the loosened screws. Wrap these wires under the head of the screw and use your screwdriver to tighten the screws. Once the screws are tightened, the wire should no longer be visible.

4. Connect the “Common A” and “Common B” terminals on the motor, if you’re using a four-wire stepper motor. If you’re using a six-wire stepper motor, do not connect the "Common A" and "Common B" terminals.

5. Attach the wires you labeled A+, A-, B+ and B- to the stepper motor in the same manner as you connected the four wires to the stepper motor pins.

Tips & Warnings

• Connecting wires incorrectly or going against your stepper motor’s manufacturer guidelines can result in your stepper motor not connecting properly and can also cause it to suffer irreversible damage.

• Bipolar stepper motors and unipolar stepper motors are wired differently, although they both use the same power supply.

References

• Al About Circuits: Stepper Motors
• Net Motion: Stepper Motor Drivers
• Piclist: Stepper Motor Connection Options