The Special Characteristics of Stepping Motor Drives and a New Type of Classification

Stepping motor drives are widely used for positioning applications due to their easy controllability and straightforward connectivity to digital electronics. One of their greatest advantages is the possibility to perform positioning without requiring a closed loop position control system. Stepping motor drives have special characteristics and therefore are considered as special types of electric drives. In this paper, these special characteristics are presented, along with a new type of classification. This classification is based on both the presented special characteristics (construction, etc.) and a newly derived equation called the fundamental equation of stepping motor drives. It is also shown in this paper that based on the new classification stepping motor drives can be divided into two subcategories: synchronous-type and asynchronous-type steppers. These subcategories are based on their similarities to traditional synchronous- and asynchronous (induction) motor drives. Also, the basic equations of the presented stepping motor drives will be derived from the fundamental equation of stepping motor drives. Therefore, this new type of classification is well applicable for both scientific analysis and educational purposes.