Motor Temperature Sensing
GateKEEPER motor controllers support motor temperature sensing through external motor temperature sensors. Motor temperature sensing allows for temperature monitoring through telemetry and protection mechanisms against motor overheating.
Required Hardware for Motor Temperature Sensing:
Currently temperature sensors of NTC, PT100 and PT1000 which are integrated into the motor stator are supported. The sensor must be connected as per the integration guide:
Motor Temperature Sensing
When equipped with a motor temperature sensor, the ESC can monitor the motor’s internal temperature. This allows for thermal-based protection specific to motor overheating. The following settings must be accurately set based on the temperature sensor used in order to measure motor temperature accurately. These values are generally accessible on the sensor datasheet.
- Motor Temperature Sensor Type: NTC is the default setting. PT100 and PT1000 are also supported.
- Motor Temperature Sensor Coefficient: 3455 is the default setting. Values between 0-10000 are valid.
- Motor Temperature Sensor Nominal Resistance: 10000 (ohms) is the default setting. Values between 0-150000 ohms are valid.
- Motor Temperature Sensor Nominal Temperature: 25°C is the default setting. Values between 0-120°C are valid.
Motor Temperature Limit
The temperature in Celsius at which the motor controller will initiate the “Motor Temperature Response”.
Motor Temperature Response
The response when the temperature of the motor reaches the “Motor Temperature Limit”. For details about the configurable responses see:
Calibrating PTC Type Motor Temperature Sensors
An optional calibration routine is available for PTC type motor temperature sensors to accurately calculate the offset resistance for the sensor. To start the calibration routine set the ‘PTC Reference Temperature’ setting to the current temperature of the sensor in degrees Celsius. When the motor controller next starts up it will run the automated calibration routine. After the calibration routine, the ‘PTC Offset Resistance’ setting will be set to the correct calibrated value and the ‘PTC Reference Temperature’ setting will have been reset to 0. The calibration routine will run whenever the ‘PTC Reference Temperature’ is not set to 0.