Two-phase stepper motors typically have two windings and four lead wires on the stator. They usually have a full-step angle of 1.8 degrees and a half-step angle of 0.9 degrees. The driver only needs to control the current flow through the two windings, making it relatively simple and cost-effective. In contrast, four-phase stepper motors feature four windings and eight lead wires, with a full-step angle of 0.9 degrees and a half-step angle of 0.45 degrees. Controlling these requires managing four separate windings, which increases both the complexity and cost of the circuit. Because of this, most two-phase stepper motors are paired with two-phase drivers. However, if a smaller step angle is needed, a subdivision driver can be used to improve precision. Some manufacturers refer to both two-phase 4-wire and four-phase 8-wire motors as "two-phase" motors, as they can be connected in parallel or series to effectively reduce the number of phases. This approach, however, alters the motor’s electrical characteristics—such as resistance and inductance—which in turn affects performance. When four-phase windings are connected in parallel, the motor exhibits better acceleration and high-speed torque, but it also draws twice the current, leading to higher heat generation. This means the driver must have a higher output capacity. On the other hand, when connected in series, the motor performs better at low speeds, with reduced noise and heat, but loses torque at higher speeds. Many companies use two-phase drivers for four-phase motors by switching them into two-phase operation, often asking customers whether they prefer a parallel or series connection. In the past, 8-wire motors were clearly labeled as four-phase, but some companies simplified the labeling to "two-phase" to avoid confusion. As a result, the distinction between two-phase and four-phase motors has become somewhat blurred. In reality, the core principle behind both types is essentially the same—just different configurations based on application requirements.
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