Stamos any good?

[Memmeddu]

So today just because was thrilled to open my welder to see if was dirty and check for some loosy connection
I opened my stamos welder ,so I'm not an expert so what do you think about this pcb ?
There's something wrong with her construction?
After that I found that this welder have not PE so no earth , I don't know if this means that is a double insulated device or if doesn't need to be connected to the ground
On the PCB there is a ground connection (machine screw ) and this worries me because every single welder I opened have the ground connected somewhere ,and this simply not .
Can be a problem in the future?
Please let me know what do you think about because I'm not sure if I need to be worried or not

 

[paulo1974]

I dont know Much about stamos. I seen some bad reviews about expondo (manufacteur of stamos brand) in the warranty level. I think its is a overpriced machine almost 500 euros and fixed torch?

 

[Memmeddu]

I dont know Much about stamos. I seen some bad reviews about expondo (manufacteur of stamos brand) in the warranty level. I think its is a overpriced machine almost 500 euros and fixed torch?

Cheap stick welder 140 euros
I used it with E6010 ,not too bad but definitely not as same of my Genny (engine driven welder by genset)
This thing about the earth not connected make me feel scared
I don't know if I need to connect it or not
On one side ,I want connect it
On the other side I'm scared about the possibility of destroy the PCB

 

[chris pruteanu]

What does it says on the back sticker ? is it double insulated to IP23 or something ? Post a picture...

 

[Memmeddu]

A second only , I will go upstairs and I'll make the photo now , but I remember that is IP 21

 

[Memmeddu]

.

 

[eddie49]

As an inverter, the AC mains input will go straight to a bridge rectifier, making 311v DC, then smoothing capacitors, the high-frequency switches of the inverter, a ferrite-core transformer, controlled rectification, the DC output. The PCBs and the heatsinks will be insulated from the case. I am not sure if this meets the standard for Double Insulation; perhaps the Chinese manufacturers do not know either - or they do not care.
I have an inverter - an Uptime MIG160 welder, this one:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...igbt-160-amp-mig-welder-mma-euro-torch.88278/
It does have the metal case connected to the PE pin of the UK 3-pin 13A plug. The case is not connected to the welding return lead ( earth clamp ).
If you do connect a PE on yours, you may void the warranty ( if any .... ). I would start by checking the potential to earth from the case, with a neon tester, and with a DVM.
As for the standard of your PCB: I'm always surprised by how few components they need to build a welder... also I'm not too happy about using solder to "thicken" the PCB tracks.

 

[Memmeddu]

As an inverter, the AC mains input will go straight to a bridge rectifier, making 311v DC, then smoothing capacitors, the high-frequency switches of the inverter, a ferrite-core transformer, controlled rectification, the DC output. The PCBs and the heatsinks will be insulated from the case. I am not sure if this meets the standard for Double Insulation; perhaps the Chinese manufacturers do not know either - or they do not care.
I have an inverter - an Uptime MIG160 welder, this one:
https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum...igbt-160-amp-mig-welder-mma-euro-torch.88278/
It does have the metal case connected to the PE pin of the UK 3-pin 13A plug. The case is not connected to the welding return lead ( earth clamp ).
If you do connect a PE on yours, you may void the warranty ( if any .... ). I would start by checking the potential to earth from the case, with a neon tester, and with a DVM.
As for the standard of your PCB: I'm always surprised by how few components they need to build a welder... also I'm not too happy about using solder to "thicken" the PCB tracks.

As you can see the PE doesn't go anywhere , it's been simply cut off before the switch ,and I think that it must be connected somewhere because the welder enclosure is sheet metal

 

[chris pruteanu]

If it was double insulated it should have a square within a square symbol printed on the back sticker...best would be to leave it alone however i would not want to weld with it on a damp day !

 

[Memmeddu]

If it was double insulated it should have a square within a square symbol printed on the back sticker...best would be to leave it alone however i would not want to weld with it on a damp day !

We think the same thing
I'm feeling not confident with it , before to open it I was thinking that was almost a good welder (E6010 no problem after established the arc) but after im seeing that I have not any idea to use this welder ,in any circumstances .
As elettrician I know what happens when you need that pe works and is not connected ,I can say that is not a good situation ,we are talking of more than 300V DC (DC is always deadly )
I'm really scared , because I use this welder quite a lot since I bought in October 2018 .
Here in Sardinia is always something about 60 70 80% RH
And I used this welder under the rain (using an umbrella on the welder)