Arc Welding Machine

The Arc WeldingMachine is a machine where electricity is used to join pieces of base metals together by way of an electrode. Consumable or non-consumable electrodes are available in the machine.  Arc welding current can be either alternative current (AC) or direct current (DC). Heat can be produced during the arc welding process as a result of an electric arc being struck between the work-piece and an electrode. The luminous arc can be interpreted as ionized gas between the two electrodes.

The power supply, which might be traditional or inverter, is one of the components of arc welding equipment. Other components include the power line, current control, earthing clamp, electrode holder, switch, and the body, which houses all of the power source's minor bits. The electrode may carry or conduct electricity at the weld pool with filler material. To avoid oxidation with the oxygen and nitrogen present in the air, a shielding gas may be required. The shielding gas reduces slag and, when the molten metal cools, solidifies to form a metallurgical bond of welding.

Working Principle of Arc Welding Machine:

The working principle of arc winding is that during a welding operation, heat can be created by an electric arc strike between the workpiece and an electrode. This is a blazing electrical discharge between two electrodes in an ionized gas. Arc welding equipment primarily consists of an AC machine, otherwise a DC machine, an electrode, a holder for the electrode, cables, cable connectors, earthing clamps, a chipping hammer, a helmet, a wire brush, hand gloves, safety goggles, sleeves, aprons, and so on.

Current Used In Arc Welding Machines:

Two types of current used in arc welding machines:

1.     1. Alternating current.

2.     2. Direct current.

Alternating Current (AC):

•  An alternator generates alternating current (AC) - AC is typically drawn from the mains supply, which works at 50 cycles per second.
• There is a phase of positive to negative current flow, followed by a period of negative to positive current flow.
• Every second, the flow reverses direction 50 times.
• The voltage drops to zero 100 times per second, causing the arc to be broken and re-established 100 times per second.

Due to the uniform periods of current flow:

• There is no polarity choice with AC.
• The heat dispersed evenly at the electrode and workpiece. 

Direct Current (DC):