ESCON: Checking the motor current draw

Topic:

• How to read the motor's current draw by an ESCON?

Solution:

Basics:

The motor current is NOT(!) identical with the current reported by the power supply of the motor controller. The current display of the power supply or measurements with a multimeter are therefore misleading with regard to the motor current.

The motor control is a so-called power converter, i.e. the current and voltage at the motor varies permanently and only the power output from the power supply (= current x voltage) and the power output to the motor correspond (if losses are neglected).  More detailed information on this topic can be found in the following linked Support Center document:

-> Motor controllers: Input current versus Motor current, Power Conversion 

ESCON Studio's "Data Recorder":

You can easily record the motor current by ESCON Studio's "Data Recorder".
Select "Actual Current Averaged" by one of the recorder's channels:

Remark:
If you want to share any recordings with maxon's support team, please right-click in the stopped graphics and select "Export Recorded Data". Select the *.zip file format then which will hold a screenshot plus a data file. Attach this *.zip file to your support request then. Do not(!) just provide a screenshot. Screenshots are not sufficient for any in-depth analysis. 

ESCON Studio's "Controller Monitor":

ESCON Studio's "Controller Monitor" also displays the motor current:

ESCON's analog output:

One of the ESCON's analog outputs can be configured to output a voltage corresponding to the motor current:

The scaling of the output voltage (corresponding to the motor current) can be configured:

General remark:

Always read the "Actual Current Averaged" which is a filtered value. The "Actual Current" has a lot of noise due to current measurement principle.

Cross reference:

• Motor controllers: Input current versus Motor current, Power Conversion
• Motor current measurement in case of a PWM power amplifier
• What is the power consumption of a controller? 
• EPOS / IDX: Checking the motor current draw