Power consumption
The maximum power consumed by the welding machine during operation, expressed in kilowatts (kW), that is, thousands of watts. In addition, the designation in kilovolt-amperes (kVA) can be used, see below for it.
The higher the power consumption, the more powerful the current the device is capable of delivering and the better it is suitable for working with thick parts. For different materials of different thicknesses, there are recommendations for current strength, they can be clarified in specialized sources. Knowing these recommendations and the open circuit voltage (see below) for the selected type of welding, it is possible to calculate the minimum required power of the welding machine using special formulas. It is also worth considering that high power creates corresponding loads on the wiring and may require connection directly to the shield.
As for the difference between watts and volt-amperes, the physical meaning of both units is the same — current times voltage. However, they represent different parameters. In volt-amperes, the total power consumption is indicated — both active (going to do work and heat individual parts) and reactive (going to losses in coils and capacitors). This value is more convenient to use to calculate the load on the power grid. In watts, only active power is recorded; according to these numbers, it is convenient to calculate the practical capabilities of the welding machine.
Max. welding current
The highest current that the welding machine is capable of delivering through the electrodes during operation. In general, the higher this indicator, the thicker the electrodes the device can use and the greater the thickness of the parts with which it can work. Of course, it does not always make sense to chase high currents — they are more likely to damage thin parts. However, if you have to deal with large-scale work and a large thickness of the materials to be welded, you simply cannot do without a device with the appropriate characteristics. Optimum welding currents depending on materials, type of work (see "Type of welding"), type of electrodes, etc. can be specified in special tables. As for specific values, in the most “weak” models, the maximum current
does not even reach 100 A, in the most powerful ones it can exceed
225 A and even
250 A.Max. welding current (duty cycle 100%)
The highest welding current at which the machine is able to operate with a duty cycle of 100%.
See below for more information on the frequency of inclusion (PV). Here we recall that “100% duty cycle” means continuous operation, without shutdowns for cooling. Thus, the maximum welding current at 100% duty cycle is the highest current at which the machine can be used without interruption. Usually, this current is much lower than the maximum.
Minimum wire diameter
The minimum diameter of the welding wire that the machine can work with.
Wire electrodes are used in semi-automatic models (see "Type"), mainly for MIG/MAG welding (see "Type of welding"). The thinner the electrode, the better it is suitable for delicate work where a small thickness and width of the seam is required. Specific recommendations on the diameter of the wire for a particular task can be found in special sources.
Wire feed speed
Wire feed speed provided by the semi-automatic model (see "Type"). The higher the speed (with the same thickness) — the faster you can lead the electrode over the seam and the less time the process takes. On the other hand, too fast feed makes it difficult to work with seams of small length. Detailed information on the optimal wire feed speed can be found in special sources.
Electrode holder cable
The length of the electrode holder cable supplied with the device.
As the name implies, this cable is used to connect the clamp for the welding electrode to the machine. The longer such a wire is, the more freedom the welder has in moving, the farther he can go without moving the machine itself. On the other hand, excessively long cables create problems in storage and transportation, and often during operation (you need to look for a place where to place the excess wire). Therefore, when choosing, you should proceed from what is more important for you: the ability to move away from the device or the overall compactness. As for specific numbers, most often the length of this wire varies from 2 to 3 m, but in some models it can reach 5 m.
Mass cable
The length of the ground cable supplied with the machine.
The mass cable is a wire that is connected to the workpiece with a clamp. In other words, this is the second contact required to close the circuit during electric welding; connecting such a wire actually turns the workpiece into one solid fixed electrode (paired with a movable welding electrode). As for the length of such a wire, the longer it is, the farther from the connection point you can place the machine and the more freedom of movement the welder gets. On the other hand, excessively long wires create problems in storage and transportation, and often during work (you need to look for a place where to place the excess cable). In addition, freedom of movement can be ensured by increasing the length of the second wire — for the electrode holder or burner. Thus, the mass cable in modern welding machines usually has a length of 1.2 to 3 m (with some exceptions — both smaller and larger). This length allows you to comfortably place the device and at the same time does not create problems.
Torch cable
The length of the torch cable supplied with the machine.
The term "torch" is relevant for welding such as TIG (in argon, non-consumable electrode) or MIG / MAG (partially automated welding in an inert (MIG) or active (MAG) gas) - this is what the working nozzle for such welding is called. And the longer the wire with which the burner is connected to the device, the more freedom the welder has in moving, the farther he can go without moving the device itself. On the other hand, excessively long cables create problems in storage and transportation, and often during operation (you need to look for a place where to place the excess wire). Therefore, when choosing, you should proceed from what is more important for you: the ability to move away from the device or the overall compactness. As for specific length options, they usually range from 2 to 5 meters.
