<p>I have not used external stepper drivers yet, but I am using them in a new build.  I have an optional stepper driver that will be connected to a stepper motor for a rotary attachment.  Can I leave the stepper driver connected to the power supply, but disconnect the optional stepper motor when not in use?  Will powering the external stepper driver without a motor attached fry the driver?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-27T11:46:59.703Z
Why not use a switch and sidestep the whole issue?
Kilisi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-27T21:06:10.100Z
@Kilisi Mainly laziness.  I didn't think about the possiblity of it being an issue until I started hooking up the motors.  So I would have to take apart my electronics enclosure, drill another hole and add another switch.  I think at this point I will just unplug the power connector to that driver when I'm not using it.  I'm still curious if the external drivers can handle being powered without a motor connected.
jbalk
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-27T21:09:39.567Z
I would think it's a risk not worth taking https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/345003/why-does-disconnecting-a-stepper-motor-while-powered-on-damage-the-driver
Kilisi
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-04-29T05:09:05.047Z
It won't hurt anything to power a stepper driver without a motor attached. They are just totems/hbridges that don't rely on load for stability or bias.
dandavis
<stepper-driver><stepper>
Can I power an external stepper driver without motor connected?
jbalk
# Can I power an external stepper driver without motor connected?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-04-27)

I have not used external stepper drivers yet, but I am using them in a new build. I have an optional stepper driver that will be connected to a stepper motor for a rotary attachment. Can I leave the stepper driver connected to the power supply, but disconnect the optional stepper motor when not in use? Will powering the external stepper driver without a motor attached fry the driver?

**Tags:** stepper-driver, stepper
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Why not use a switch and sidestep the whole issue?  
> **username_0**: @Kilisi Mainly laziness.  I didn't think about the possiblity of it being an issue until I started hooking up the motors.  So I would have to take apart my electronics enclosure, drill another hole and add another switch.  I think at this point I will just unplug the power connector to that driver when I'm not using it.  I'm still curious if the external drivers can handle being powered without a motor connected.  
> **username_1**: I would think it's a risk not worth taking https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/345003/why-does-disconnecting-a-stepper-motor-while-powered-on-damage-the-driver  
> **username_2**: It won't hurt anything to power a stepper driver without a motor attached. They are just totems/hbridges that don't rely on load for stability or bias.  

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## 0 answers

