NEMA Motor
The US-based National Electrical Manufacturers Association creates standards that are developed by the manufacturers through a voluntary consensus to provide descriptions of how things should be. NEMA ICS 16-2001 (Motion/Position Control Motors, Controls, and Feedback Devices) describes stepper motors and is the NEMA standard usually referred to when talking about the NEMA standard in the context of RepRap, stepper motors and 3D printers.
In section 4.3.1.1 of that standard, NEMA chose to label stepper motors (e.g. "NEMA 17") with the size of their faceplate in tenth of inches. So a "NEMA 17" has a 1.7 inch by 1.7 inch faceplate. By standardizing the stepper motors (the faceplates, flanges and screw holes), you know ahead of time that one NEMA 17 motor will fit into the mounts of another NEMA 17 without having to redesign anything. This makes swapping components easier.
Full NEMA name
The full NEMA name of a stepper motor is written as:
"NEMA" DDMMLLL-CCCIVVVSSSW
...where the letters have the following meaning:
Letters | Value | Unit |
---|---|---|
DD | Diameter / Faceplate size | inches·10 |
MM | Mount type | C: Flange with slots; D: Face with tapped holes; CD: Face flange with holes |
LLL | Length | inches·10 |
CCC | Phase current | amps·10 |
I | Insulation class | Maximum operating temperature: A: 221 °F; B: 266 °F; F: 311 °F; H: 356 °F Class B is the most common type for 60 cycle motors in the US. Internationally Class F is the most common type for 50 cycle motors. Generally speaking, going 10 °F above the maximum temperature will reduce the motor life by half. |
VVV | Phase voltage rating | voltage·10 |
SSS | Steps | steps per revolution |
W | Winding code | How many internal wires the external wires are connected to: A: 2 wires; B: 3 wires; C: 4 wires; D: 5 wires; E: 6 wires; F: 8 wires |
Some examples:
- NEMA 34: 3.4" diameter stepper motor.
- NEMA 34D: 3.4" diameter stepper motor, with a flange.
- NEMA 34CD: 3.4" diameter stepper motor, with a flange and face tapped holes.
- NEMA 34D016 3.4" diameter stepper motor, that is 1.6" long, with a flange.
- NEMA 34D016-016B053200A 3.4" diameter stepper motor, with a flange, that is 1.6" long, has a phase current of 1.6 A, class B insulation, 5.3 V phase, 200 steps per revolution, and type A winding connection.