Fieldbus stepper drive
Nanotec C5-E motor controller fieldbus stepper drive
Compact controller/drive for NEMA 17–34 stepper and BLDC motors at 12–48 V, 6–10 A rated and up to 30 A peak, with Modbus RTU, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT or Modbus TCP.
Key specifications
| Voltage (max) | 48 V |
|---|---|
| Data / bus | Modbus RTU, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP |
| Supply | 12–48 VDC |
| Fieldbus | Modbus RTU, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP |
| Axes | 1 |
| Continuous current (max) | 10 A |
| Peak current (max) | 30 A |
| Motor types | stepper, BLDC |
Summarised in our own words from Nanotec Electronic GmbH's published data; series maxima, individual models vary. Last checked 2026-10-30. Source 1
Notes on this data
Currents RMS.
Specify Motion is not affiliated with Nanotec Electronic GmbH. Nanotec and C5-E motor controller are used only to identify the product. Comparisons use published figures; always confirm against the current datasheet.
Typical applications
Alternatives that meet or exceed these figures
Engineers often come to us with a Nanotec part number and leave with an alternative that is easier to source, quicker to deliver or a better fit for the machine. These 3 series from our supply network are the closest match on published figures.
Single-axis open-loop EtherCAT (CoE/CiA402) stepper drive with CSP, PP, PV and homing modes.
| Published maximum | C5-E motor controller | Leadshine EM3E Series |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 10 A | 8.2 A |
| Peak current | 30 A | — |
| Axes | 1 | 1 meets or exceeds |
Dual-axis open-loop EtherCAT stepper drive controlling two independent motors from one unit, with optional STO.
| Published maximum | C5-E motor controller | Leadshine 2EM3E Series |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 10 A | 7 A |
| Peak current | 30 A | — |
| Axes | 1 | 2 meets or exceeds |
Dual-axis open-loop EtherNet/IP stepper drive, two axes under one IP address, optional STO.
| Published maximum | C5-E motor controller | Leadshine 2EM3EIP Series |
|---|---|---|
| Continuous current | 10 A | 7 A |
| Peak current | 30 A | — |
| Axes | 1 | 2 meets or exceeds |
Figures are the highest published for each series and are not always measured the same way. A higher figure is not automatically a better choice: mounting, duty cycle, feedback, connectors and approvals matter too. An engineer will check the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What a fieldbus stepper drive is
A fieldbus stepper drive receives motion commands over a network such as CANopen, Modbus RTU, EtherCAT or another industrial Ethernet protocol, rather than step and direction pulses. Commands set position, velocity and current targets, and the drive reports status, position and faults back to the controller. Many support standard device profiles such as CiA 402, so a PLC or motion controller can treat them like servo axes. Open-loop and closed-loop versions are common.
When engineers choose a fieldbus stepper drive
Choose a fieldbus stepper drive for machines with several stepper axes controlled by a PLC or motion controller, where wiring, diagnostics and parameter management matter. It replaces many pulse cables with one network. The trade-offs are configuration effort and network dependency: the drive needs network set-up and configuration files, and a network fault stops all axes. For a single simple axis, pulse control can be quicker to commission.
How to specify the Nanotec C5-E motor controller
Send these with your enquiry and an engineer can confirm the right C5-E motor controller variant or an equivalent:
- Network protocol and device profile
- Supply voltage (V DC)
- Phase current (A)
- Open or closed loop
- I/O and homing functions
- Cycle time and synchronisation
- Configuration files and software
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a protocol the controller does not support
- Not planning node addressing and network topology
- Overlooking cycle time for synchronised motion
- Missing configuration files for the controller
Nanotec C5-E motor controller: frequently asked questions
What is the Nanotec C5-E motor controller?
Compact controller/drive for NEMA 17–34 stepper and BLDC motors at 12–48 V, 6–10 A rated and up to 30 A peak, with Modbus RTU, CANopen, EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT or Modbus TCP. Published series figures include voltage 48 V, axes 1, continuous current 10 A, peak current 30 A. It is made by Nanotec Electronic GmbH; Specify Motion can help source it or propose an equivalent.
Who makes the Nanotec C5-E motor controller?
The Nanotec C5-E motor controller is made by Nanotec (Nanotec Electronic GmbH) and is listed here for engineers comparing options. Specify Motion is not affiliated with Nanotec Electronic GmbH; brand names are used only to identify the product.
What is the voltage of the Nanotec C5-E motor controller?
The published series maximum voltage is 48 V. Individual models and sizes in the C5-E motor controller range vary, so check the exact variant against your duty cycle, mounting and environment, or ask our engineers to confirm the right size for you.
Is there an alternative to the Nanotec C5-E motor controller?
Yes. On published figures, Leadshine EM3E Series and Leadshine 2EM3E Series are the closest match from our supply network. An engineer confirms the fit against your application before recommending anything.
What is CiA 402?
CiA 402 is a standard device profile for drives and motion control, originally for CANopen and also used on EtherCAT and other networks. It defines modes such as profile position, velocity and homing, and a standard state machine. Drives supporting it are easier to integrate with compatible controllers.
Is EtherCAT better than CANopen for stepper drives?
EtherCAT offers much higher bandwidth and precise synchronisation, which suits coordinated multi-axis motion. CANopen is simpler, cheaper and adequate for many point-to-point axes. Choose by controller support, number of axes, required cycle time and whether axes must be tightly synchronised.
Further reading: How to select a stepper drive · How to select a motion controller or plc · Servo drives
Other fieldbus stepper drive series
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