Thread: Inverter Welder Arc Stength

I am a novice welder and have previously been using an old arc welder to join metal. I won't call it welding as what I do certainly doesn't look like welding

I have now been given a DC Inverter welder but it has two settings on the front. Arc Force in Amps and Current in Amps. I understand the Current setting but how does the Arc Force relate to welding??

Any help appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason

Put basically, it changes the arc characteristics to produce either a wide but shallow bead or a narrower, deeper penetrating bead. Depending on your welder it may be infinitely adjustable via a pot or more commonly there will be two basic settings. You can fine tune the arc for sheet metal and thin rhs, out of position, pipe root runs or for stainless and low hydrogen electrodes.
What brand and model of welder is it?

To give a bit more of a technical explanation, stick welders are constant current (CC) machines (MIG is constant voltage). So you set the amps you want for the particular electrode, material and welding position and away you go.

If arc force is set to zero, the constant current thing is absolute - you set 90A, that's all you'll get, even if you get a bit too close and stick the electrode. For that reason, you always want a bit of arc force, as it'll help to prevent the rod sticking by allowing the current to rise a *bit* above the 90A setting if needed.

If you set the arc force dial to max, it'll allow the amps to go *way* above what you set on the dial. So with the dial on 90A, as you shorten the arc and get very close to the material or touch it, it'll allow the current to shoot well above 90A. That helps to prevent sticking, and gets more penetration as you shorten the arc.

So if you're welding thin material and fear blowing holes, a low arc force helps to limit blowthrough, with the downside of electrode sticking if your technique isn't 100% That said, if the amps dial is set too high, you'll be blowing holes no matter what the arc force is.

If you're welding thicker material, or into a tight joint where you really want a fierce arc to penetrate, you want plenty of arc force.

Thanks for your input. I will go and do some testing now. I a trying to weld 30mm shs so the wall thickness is pretty thin


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