3-3. Step Angle

The step angle is the basis of the movement of a stepping motor.
The step angle depends on the total number of magnetic poles of the motor.
The step angle is determined by the formula:

Step angle = 360 degrees / N  where N = (NPH x PH)

• NPH: Number of magnetic poles for each phase
• PH: Number of phases
• N: Total number of magnetic poles in all phases

The motor types are usually referenced as “PH-phase / N-pole motor” (e.g. 2-phase / 4-pole on the left side and 3-phase / 6-pole on the right side)

For example, in case of a 2-phase 4-pole motor, the step angle will be 90 degrees.

The stepping motor is rotated as a result of performing each step operation continuously.