Noob questions: Steppers and IDC

1.So I got those unipolar (6 wires) NEMA 17 motors bought from Tony on ebay. Now, how to wire them in bipolar mode? Ignore the two taps? Here's the motor's pinout:
PIN1= ORG = B-

PIN2= WTH = B COMMON

PIN3= BLU = B

PIN4= RED = A

PIN5= BLK = A COMMON

PIN6= YEL = A-

I've played with steppers some time ago but I just want to be sure...

2. Can I wire the motors with IDC wires? It looks like you can on the wiki but they don't look capable to handle such currents...

Like I said noob questions!

Thanks!

EDIT: Yes, sorry about the double topics...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/21/2011 06:02PM by N0M4dIC.

To run them with the same specification as unipolar mode use the centre tap and one end of each coil, leave the other end disconnected.

You can use the full coil, but you need to reduce the max current by 30% from the rated value. You will get 40% more torque, but top speed will be limited due to the inductance being 4 times bigger.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/22/2011 03:08AM by nophead.

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[www.hydraraptor.blogspot.com]

I f I understand well, I just ignore A- and B-, right?

What about the IDC cables? Can they handle driving the steppers? (I'm pretty sure they'll work but I dont want my hard work burst into flames)

N0M4dIC Wrote:
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> I f I understand well, I just ignore A- and B-,
> right?

Yes.

>
> What about the IDC cables? Can they handle driving
> the steppers? (I'm pretty sure they'll work but I
> dont want my hard work burst into flames)

Not sure what you mean by "IDC cable". IDC means insulation displacement connector. Each type of IDC connector works with only one wire gauge so you need the right wire to match the connector and it needs to be thick enough to handle the current. Since we typically only use about 1A, all but very small gauge wire will work.

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[www.hydraraptor.blogspot.com]

Well, by IDC cable I mean, as I call them, ''Ribbon cables''. Everybody keeps calling these IDC (like their connectors). I got rainbow ''hippie'' cables from the ultimachine kit and I'm not sure I it's meant to be used for motor connections. But, if it's 1 amp, they should be good enough.