What Is an AC Arc Welding Machine?
There are two types of arc welding machines: DC and AC.
AC arc welders are less expensive and easier to maintain compared to DC arc welders. As a result, AC arc welders are commonly used for do-it-yourself (DIY) applications using household electrical outlets.
An AC arc welding machine is required to be equipped with an electric shock prevention device that suppresses the terminal voltage to 25V or less because of the high voltage at no load (standby state when the arc is not being generated).
Uses of AC Arc Welding Machines
AC arc welders are widely used not only at manufacturing sites in factories but also as DIY equipment for home use since the household power supply is AC.
In automobile production lines, semi-automatic welding, in which wire is automatically supplied, is widely used, and body welding is automated by attaching it to a robot.
In TIG welding, which uses tungsten electrodes, some models can switch between AC and DC, enabling the welding of various base materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, and steel.
Features of AC Arc Welding Machines
Various types of arc welding exist, each with different features, advantages, and disadvantages.
- Covered arc welding
This welding method uses a long, thin rod-shaped welding electrode to generate an arc between the base metal and the welding electrode, which melts and joins the base metal. Since the welding rod gradually decreases during welding, it is necessary to move in the direction of welding while maintaining the optimum distance from the base material at all times. - MAG Welding
This method uses a mixture of carbon dioxide and argon gas as the shielding gas and automatically supplies the electrode wire while welding.
This is one of the semi-automatic welding methods that only requires the movement of the welding rod in the welding direction, since the welding rod is not shortened as in the case of shielded arc welding, making it easy to weld. - TIG welding
This welding method uses tungsten as the electrode and shields it with argon gas.
In the case of AC, aluminum can be welded, and it is mainly used to join thin nonferrous metals.