Stepper Motor Temperature?

[japcas]

Hey guys. I'm working on a small cnc xy table to mount up on my mill. This is my first cnc build although I run manual and cnc machines for a living. I wanted to start out small with a 2 axis system and if everything works out o.k. maybe later on build a full 3 axix machine with a 4th axis indexer.

Now to my question. How hot should the steppers get when just sitting idle configuring Mach3. I have all of the wiring done and going through the manaul configuring the system. I can hold them for about 6 seconds before needing to put them down. I checked them with an infrared thermometer and it measures about 120 degrees. They move around fine and everything seems to be wired correctly. Is this normal?

[rotate]

120 degrees what?

Motors should typically rise 40-60 degrees Celsius, but no more.

[japcas]

Sorry. 120 degrees F. I lowered the Vref on the stepper drivers and they are running about 90 degrees f now. Which is about 34 degrees c. I think they are fine now.

[macona]

Some nicer stepper drives will lower the current on idle to avoid heating.

Figure the insulation is probably rated for 90 degrees C.

[Davidhcnc]

If you can get the data for your steppers it will state the operation temp range and the allowable temp rise.

so mine are

0-50 deg C operating( ambient)
70 deg C allowable temp rise.

This is a typical rating for steppers so I'd say yours are normal.:)