Safety Torch & Gas Pressure Regulators

Oxy-fuel welding is a function not only takes skill, but also security.
Ignoring the use of correct safety procedures when using an acetylene torch could have catastrophic consequences for the user and the people in the surrounding work area.

An acetylene torch and the gas pressure regulator are two important tools of the welding trade. Taking proper care and caution when using these two tools will go a long way toward ensuring safe welding environment.

Gas Pressure Regulator

Regulator reduces the gas flow from the supply tank to a level that is safe to use. These devices usually consist of the measuring device measures the level of pressure in gas cylinders, pressure gauge and other measuring gas flowing through the hose.

Before using a regulator, it is essential to ensure the device meets all the requirements necessary for use in oxy-fuel cutting operation. Regulators must also be kept in good condition, inspected before each use and repaired when necessary only by a trained professional.

Here are some additional safety precautions for using the gas regulator: 

• Always be sure to close the valve before opening the valve on the gas tube. Check your manufacturer if you have any uncertainty regarding open and closed position of the regulator valve.
• Using a wrench with the correct size is important when connecting the regulator to the gas tube. Prevent damage that leads to the regulator to avoid a forced connection. 
• Avoid high-pressure gas surges from regulator by slowly opening the cylinder valve. When doing this, be sure to stand to the side of the regulator, not in front or behind. 
• If a leak is suspected, immediately turn off all appliances. After all equipment is turned off, continue to check the leak detection method-approved by regulatory agencies.

Welding Torch

When they came to the safety of the torch, it is important to use appropriate equipment, check for leaks at connection points and cleaned before lighting a fire hose. Keeping the torch in top condition is also important to avoid threatening situations where leakage may occur.

Other safety precautions to keep in mind:

• Avoid placing the torch in contact with oil, grease and hydrocarbons such as butane and propane. 
• Avoid using a wrench to tighten the valve system or a seat in situations where lethal control valves by hand is difficult.
• Keep the mixer chair of the torch is clear of dust and other particles.
• Make sure the nut to pack on the throttle valve is adjusted before each use.

These tips are just touching the surface of the security protocol for proper torch and use the pressure regulator. For more information on welding safety, try to contact the supplier of specialty gas equipment or the American Welding Society (AWS).

J. Meyer, vice president of Sales & Marketing at International Rexarc, is the author of this article is about the special gas equipment, acetylene and gas pressure regulator. Rexarc supplying the industrial, medical, and specialized equipment that reliably move the molecular gas from the supply to the point of use.

Duty Cycle Counting welder, and Thermal Stress

A duty cycle rating Welders (Specification) is a person who is assigned to the continuity of the benefits of output current.
It is expressed as a percentage of welding time for a period of 10 minutes (which Weld 100% of the time equals 10 minutes) at a specified output current. For example, let us consider the specification: 300A @ 40% duty cycle. A 40% duty cycle is 4 minutes of a period of 10 minutes Welder can operate. For another 6 minutes, the welder must be cooled. If not, Welder will close and more LED light temperature, or Thermal Error code display. If this happens to Weldor (people who weld metal) had to stop production and wait for long to clean up the temperature conditions. The welders are more basic (Transformer / welder SCR based) usually combines two types of bi-metallic strip thermostat (one input Heatsink Rectifier Assembly, and the other at the output Diode Heatsink Assembly). They are wired in series with the current one that is able to open under heat stress. The more advanced welder (welder microprocessor controlled inverter based) usually combines the two thermistors (type Resistor with Negative Temperature Coefficient) to achieve the same result, but a more complex electronic circuits are now engaged to measure the thermal characteristics while being operated Welder.

When the welding specifications are exceeded other than turning off and displays error conditions, internal Fan welder must operate to bring the temperature of the heatsink components to a safe operating temperature. This usually occurs at about 158 ​​degrees F (70 degrees C). This is the maximum tolerable temperature rating for most commercial-grade electronic components. Mounted on a good heatsink (or combination) Rectifier Diodes, the SCR, the IGBT and MOSFET. If the fan stops working or temperature sense circuit failure, these components can be degraded or permanently damaged due to thermal stress.

Must wait to complete the work due to low or specification errors During the temperature is non-productive and frustrating for all parties. This is particularly so when the project deadline, because time is money! When the electronic component failure due to thermal stress anxiety Weldor only increased by a factor of ten. Now Welder totally inoperative until some trouble shooting to do. Once again ... time is money!

When the welding current is determined on a cycle of 100% Weld Output current can be maintained indefinitely, without the need for cold Welder requirements.

Manufacturers publish specifications for their welding Operator Manuals, Service Manual, and Technical Sales Brochures. Unfortunately, Weld output current does not always appear in the ranking of DC 100%. A conversion formula is very useful in situations like this.

To calculate the output current based on the specifications of the cycle using the following formula:

I out = √ [((I x I rated rate) × (DC Spec rate)) ÷ (DC Spec required)]

From the previous example of 300 A DC @ 40%, we can now easily calculate the output current to DC Weld 100%, as follows:

I out = √ [((300 x 300) x (40)) ÷ (100)]

I out = 189.74 Amps.

As you can see, the output current at 100% Duty Cycle is quite a bit smaller than the 300 Amp Welder claimed this. Duty cycle makes a difference!