psmd

Description: The A4988 driver IC has a maximum current rating of 2A per coil; however, the actual current delivery is contingent on effective cooling of the IC. The carrier's printed circuit board is engineered to dissipate heat from the IC, but exceeding approximately 1A per coil necessitates a heat sink or alternative cooling methods. This product can reach temperatures that may cause burns before the chip itself overheats. Caution is advised when handling this product and any connected components. It is important to note that measuring the current draw at the power supply does not accurately reflect the coil current. Since the input voltage to the driver can be significantly higher than the coil voltage, the current measured at the power supply may be considerably lower than the coil current, as the driver and coil function similarly to a switching step-down power supply. Additionally, if the supply voltage is much higher than what the motor requires to achieve the set current, the duty cycle will be low, leading to notable discrepancies between average and RMS currents.

This product serves as a carrier board or breakout board for Allegro’s A4988 DMOS Microstepping Driver, which includes a translator and overcurrent protection. It is advisable to thoroughly review the A4988 datasheet before usage. This stepper motor driver enables control of one bipolar stepper motor with an output current of up to 2A per coil. Key features of the driver include a straightforward step and direction control interface, five distinct step resolutions (full-step, half-step, quarter-step, eighth-step, and sixteenth-step), and adjustable current control that allows the maximum current output to be set with a potentiometer. This feature permits the use of voltages higher than the stepper motor’s rated voltage to achieve increased step rates. The driver also incorporates intelligent chopping control, which automatically selects the appropriate current decay mode (fast decay or slow decay), along with over-temperature thermal shutdown, under-voltage lockout, and crossover-current protection. Additionally, it provides short-to-ground and shorted-load protection, a feature not available on the A4983 model. Like most other carrier boards, this product is supplied with all surface-mount components, including the A4988 driver IC, pre-installed as depicted in the product image.

The A4988 driver IC is particularly suited for applications requiring precise control of bipolar stepper motors. Its ability to handle up to 2A per coil makes it ideal for a wide range of projects, from 3D printers to CNC machines. The adjustable current control feature enables users to tailor the driver’s performance to specific motor requirements, optimizing efficiency and performance. The intelligent chopping control enhances motor performance by minimizing resonance and improving torque at low speeds, which is critical for applications demanding high precision. The inclusion of over-temperature and under-voltage protections ensures reliable operation, safeguarding both the driver and the motor from potential damage due to adverse conditions. Overall, the A4988 driver IC is a robust solution for controlling stepper motors, providing versatility and reliability in various electronic applications.The A4988 driver IC has a maximum current rating of 2A per coil, but the actual current you can deliver depends on how well you can keep the IC cool. The carrier’s printed circuit board is designed to draw heat out of the IC, but to supply more than approximately 1A per coil, a heat sink or other cooling method is required.

This product can get hot enough to burn you long before the chip overheats. Take care when handling this product and other components connected to it. Please note that measuring the current draw at the power supply does not necessarily provide an accurate measure of the coil current. Since the input voltage to the driver can be significantly higher than the coil voltage, the measured current on the power supply can be quite a bit lower than the coil current (the driver and coil basically act like a switching step-down power supply).

Also, if the supply voltage is very high compared to what the motor needs to achieve the set current, the duty cycle will be very low, which also leads to significant differences between average and RMS currents.

This product is a carrier board or breakout board for Allegro’s A4988 DMOS Microstepping Driver with Translator and Overcurrent Protection; we therefore recommend careful reading of the A4988 datasheet (380k pdf) before using this product. This stepper motor driver lets you control one bipolar stepper motor at up to 2A output current per coil (see the Power Dissipation Considerations section below for more information).

Here are some of the driver’s key features: Simple step and direction control interface Five different step resolutions: full-step, half-step, quarter-step, eighth-step, and sixteenth-step Adjustable current control lets you set the maximum current output with a potentiometer, which lets you use voltages above your stepper motor’s rated voltage to achieve higher step rates Intelligent chopping control that automatically selects the correct current decay mode (fast decay or slow decay) Over-temperature thermal shutdown, under-voltage lockout, and crossover-current protection Short-to-ground and shorted-load protection (this feature is not available on the A4983) Like nearly all our other carrier boards, this product ships with all surface-mount components—including the A4988 driver IC—installed as shown in the product picture.