Stopped working..

[giannis]

Hello to all,
Today i was welding with my 2 days old Thermal arc 175...The temperature was about 33c today and i was at 13th 3,2 mm rod, one next to another...I thought i "oh my god" i believed when i was at 7th or so thermal protection will be on... And at the 13th rod it stopped working i took it and pluged it to another wall jocket inside home and it worked again amazing....!!!

When stopped i had used a extension cable (3G 1,5 mm) about 3 metres lenght and welder at 120 A...

Does the problem was the size of cable?
If yes,How much will be to work properly?
What is the difference betwwen simple and arctic type?

Thank you a lot

 

[Country Joe]

Hi there, Giannis,
I'd use cable of the largest cross section that you can physically fit into the plug.
I have a few extensions made from arctic cable, and I think the main difference is that it doesn't become stiff and inflexible at colder temperatures. They still have to have a decent cross sectional area, to be used over any distance in order to reduce voltage drop, as with any other type.
I would think of 1.5mm cross section as being a bit thin - possibly not so bad over only 3 metres, but I'd go as large as I could, if only to be on the safe side.
I would imagine most cables would remain flexible at the temps you have in Greece, anyway!
All the Best,
CJ

 

[brightspark]

the data plate on the welder will give u the input amperage . u can calculate the size cable required from that . 2.5mm cable would be best as a minimum and keep the lead reasonably short with good conections

 

[the snooper]

did the thermal cut out opperate ? the machine states only 20% at 175 amps depending on the exact model have you checked the instructions for the duty cycle at 120 amps

 

[giannis]

did the thermal cut out opperate ? the machine states only 20% at 175 amps depending on the exact model have you checked the instructions for the duty cycle at 120 amps

i don't believe it..because if it happened then the led of thermal protection will be on and not "let" you continue..but not turn off..

 

[giannis]

the data plate on the welder will give u the input amperage . u can calculate the size cable required from that . 2.5mm cable would be best as a minimum and keep the lead reasonably short with good conections

If i try the larger one 4mm!!!! to be sure... will i have any problem???

 

[brightspark]

If i try the larger one 4mm!!!! to be sure... will i have any problem???

only if u cant connect the ends . larger cable will be best

 

[mike 109444]

And don't forget don't coil the lead, keep it spread out