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Troubleshooting and FAQ

Common Problems and Solutions​

Motor does not move / no torque​

Possible causes:

  • Power supply not connected or incorrect voltage
  • Motor wiring incorrect or loose connections
  • Driver enable signal not active
  • Current settings too low

Solutions:

  1. Verify power supply voltage at the driver terminals
  2. Check motor phase wiring: Phase A to A+/A-, Phase B to B+/B-
  3. Ensure enable signal is properly connected (active low on most drivers)
  4. Check and adjust current settings on the driver

Motor vibrates or makes unusual noise​

Possible causes:

  • Incorrect microstep setting
  • Mid-range resonance
  • Loose mechanical coupling
  • Driver current too high

Solutions:

  1. Try different microstep settings (higher microstep = smoother)
  2. Reduce current to match motor specifications
  3. Check mechanical coupling for tightness
  4. Use anti-resonance driver if available (ADM42H, AP57, AP42)
  5. Try changing operating speed to avoid resonance zone

Motor runs hot (excessive temperature)​

Possible causes:

  • Current set too high for motor rating
  • Continuous operation at high torque
  • Insufficient cooling / ventilation
  • High ambient temperature

Solutions:

  1. Verify current settings match motor specifications
  2. Enable automatic current reduction (idle current reduction)
  3. Ensure adequate airflow around the motor
  4. Reduce duty cycle if possible
  5. Consider closed-loop operation for reduced heating

Motor loses steps (position error)​

Possible causes:

  • Acceleration too high
  • Load exceeds motor torque
  • Supply voltage too low
  • Operating speed too high for available torque

Solutions:

  1. Reduce acceleration settings
  2. Increase supply voltage for better high-speed torque
  3. Verify load torque is within motor's torque-speed curve
  4. Switch to closed-loop stepper motor with encoder feedback
  5. Consider a larger frame size motor

Closed-loop motor position error​

Possible causes:

  • Encoder wiring incorrect or loose
  • Encoder power supply unstable
  • Driver encoder input configuration wrong

Solutions:

  1. Verify encoder wiring per the wiring guide
  2. Check 5V encoder power supply
  3. Ensure correct encoder line count setting in the driver (1000 lines)
  4. Check for electrical noise on encoder cables

RS485 communication failure​

Possible causes:

  • Wrong baud rate setting
  • Incorrect node address
  • Termination resistors missing
  • Wiring polarity reversed

Solutions:

  1. Verify all devices use same baud rate (default: 115200)
  2. Ensure each device has a unique node address
  3. Add 120Ω termination resistors at both ends of the bus
  4. Check A/B wire polarity
  5. Keep cable length under 1200m total

FAQ​

Q: What is the difference between open-loop and closed-loop stepper motors?

A: Open-loop stepper motors operate without position feedback — the driver sends pulses and assumes the motor follows them. Closed-loop stepper motors have an encoder that provides real-time position feedback to the driver, which can detect and correct any missed steps, providing higher reliability and better high-speed performance.

Q: Can I use a closed-loop motor with a standard open-loop driver?

A: No. Closed-loop motors require a dedicated closed-loop driver that can read the encoder signals and adjust the motor current accordingly. The motors have different electrical characteristics optimized for closed-loop control.

Q: What voltage power supply should I use?

A: As a general rule, use a supply voltage that is 8-10 times the motor's rated voltage for optimal performance. For most NEMA17 motors, 24V DC is recommended. For NEMA23 motors, 36-48V DC. For NEMA34 motors, 48-70V DC. See the Wiring Guides for specific recommendations.

Q: How do I select the right stepper motor for my application?

A: Consider:

  1. Required holding torque (load torque × safety factor of 1.5-2)
  2. Operating speed range (check torque-speed curve)
  3. Available space (frame size)
  4. Required precision (microstepping and encoder requirements)
  5. Power supply availability
  6. Communication interface requirements

Q: What is microstepping and why is it important?

A: Microstepping divides each full step into smaller increments, allowing smoother motion, finer positioning resolution, and reduced vibration and noise at low speeds. Common microstep resolutions include 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64, 1/128, and 1/256.

Q: How do I calculate the positioning resolution of my system?

A: Resolution = (360° / Step Angle × Microstep Ratio × Mechanical Reduction). For example, with a 1.8° motor at 1/16 microstepping and 10:1 gearbox: Resolution = 360° / (200 × 16 × 10) = 0.01125° per step.

Q: Can I customize the shaft or lead wires?

A: Yes. Adampower offers customization options including shaft length, shaft diameter, single/double shaft, lead wire length, and connector type. Contact our sales team with your requirements.

Q: What is the warranty on Adampower products?

A: All Adampower stepper motors and drivers are covered by our standard warranty against manufacturing defects. Contact our support team for specific warranty terms and conditions.

Q: How do I contact technical support?

A: You can reach our technical support team via:

Last updated: 2026-05-28