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Amperage check on a welding machine.

Amperage check on a welding machine.

Amperage check on a welding machine.

(OP)
How is an amperage check on a welding machine done (SMAW)? I clamped an amp meter on the lead and the amp meter showed lower than the set reading on the welding machine. This welder did have a remote but I thought that clamping it near the machine would be more accurate. This did cause some discussion with the welder.
Thanks in advance.

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

Transformer fields can give clamp-on readings that are way off.  Better to measure far from them.

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

Was the welding machine calibrated?  Was your ammeter calibrated?

Steve Jones
Materials & Corrosion Engineer
http://www.pdo.co.om/pdo/

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

(OP)
The machine was calibrateded 8 months ago, the meter was one I pick-up from the shop.

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

The best is to use a tong tester and use it close to the point of welding on the return cable (Earthing)

Thanks and regards
Sayee Prasad R CEng MWeldI MIOMMM


If it moves, train it...if it doesn't move, calibrate it...if it isn't written down, it never happened!

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

How was the current path completed for this reading?  The arc length could affect the amount of current flowing; a long arc would present more resistance, or if this is a MIG machine, the stickout and arc length would affect it.

RE: Amperage check on a welding machine.

In my experience, tongs, hand held meters and the like will at best provide a close estimate of the amperage drawn.  To get an accurate reading you need a well dampened meter to take out the high and low swings and give an average current.  If you don't have access to a dampened meter watch the needle bounce around and take your best guess.

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