Doesnt sound normal to me, check your wiring to make sure there is no breakdown in the isolation of the wires.
If not then could well be internal insulation that is breaking down. Not sure if it is safe to test a stepper with a megger or not, dont see why not but wouldnt like to say for sure. If it is safe and you did get one to test then that would tell you if the insulation in the motor is breaking down.
Hood

These motors were bought two years ago new and wired up for testing a week ago
Sanyo Denki $$$ 

Shouldnt be the motors then, well suppose you can never say never but Sanyos are good motors so its unlikely. Check your wiring thoroughly and if its not that then it may be the drives.
Hood

Tested one of the motors its ok. the stepper drives are at fault?

Thanks for your help

David

something definitely sounds amiss, where the problem is I wouldnt like to say but it does seem you have some sort of leak to earth.
Hood

Ripped every thing out of my control box and tested the drives.
I have 100VAC on the earth and 230V on R+ of the motor connection. ( the 3 drives )

Where are you measuring this voltage, earth to frame of drive?
Hood

Earth mains to earth of the driver (PE)
The driver is on a wooden board pluged in to the mains no motors or BOB

That certainly doesnt sound right to me, quite dangerous in fact.
Hood

If you are correct (not suggesting you aren't) and you have 100Vac on the PE (earth) connection of your driver and if the driver is in a metal case (which hopefully it is) then I assume you have 100Vac on the case too. This is generally not a good thing.

As far as you're thread title goes - personally I'd say that's the least of your problems. If it were me I'd turn that puppy off right now. Zapp Auto sell them so it may be worth having a chat with them, but my guess FWIW is they're a) banjaxed and b) dangerous.

Ian