![]() ![]() It only takes 50 milliamperes to cause death. If you are shocked, DC is not as likely to stop your heart as AC due to the rapid switching of the polarity of alternating current sending the heart into fibrillation. Generally speaking, welding with DC may be safer than welding with AC. Inspect the plug and power cord for worn or cut insulation exposing bare wires. Plug the welder into a circuit with the correct-sized breaker installed for the load. Make sure to locate the welding machine in a safe, dry place. As always, after changing the polarity, close the access door before plugging the machine back in. Again, unplug the welder before opening the access door and follow the instructions. NOTE: If you just switched from flux core wire to MIG wire, for example, you may need to also change the polarity inside the welder. Pull the trigger until the new wire comes through the welding handle tip. Then, close the access door before plugging the welder in. ![]() If you are changing the spool, follow the instructions for your machine to feed the wire through the wire feeder correctly. Do I need to Unplug the MIG welder when changing spools or the Polarity?Īlways unplug a MIG welder before opening the spool access door to change the spools or the polarity. The current will always be AC or alternating current inside the welding machine. The machine should always be considered energized when still plugged in. Flipping the switch off only cuts the power to the leads. Unplugging is the only way to ensure that no electricity is present anywhere within the machine. It is imperative to turn off the machine and unplug it completely. Performing repairs on a welding machine or even changing wire spools on a MIG welder potentially exposes you to a higher voltage and current than welding does. Be sure to educate yourself on basic PPE equipment. A great sister article this one is Protective Equipment Essentials for the Beginner welder. Have the leads replaced at the first sign of worn, cracked, or missing insulation.Īlways replace welding handles, electrode holders and ground lead clamps at the first sign of damage. To further reduce the potential for shock hazard, before each job inspect both leads from the point where they leave the machine to their respective ends. Inspect Welding Leads to Reduce Potential Shock Hazard and replace damaged electrode holders immediately. Water is not necessarily a great conductor of electricity but has much less resistance than you.Īdditionally, to avoid electrical shock, never touch the electrode, metal parts of the electrode holder or any exposed wire connecting the electrode holder to the machine.Īlso, avoid welding while standing on metal floors such as grating or scaffolding. Even body sweat can and will increase the possibility of receiving a shock.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |