0 items in your basket
Total £ 0.00 EX VAT
MIG Gloves
TIG Gloves
Baseball Caps
Armguards
TIG Heat Blockers
Shop 55,000 Products
SERVICEDEPT.
RAPID BLOG
FEEDBACK
HIRE
TIG inverters require low input current, they are especially popular where only a single phase supply is available. These units are popular for both industrial and home use applications.
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and using single phase TIG welders.
Single phase 230 volt is the supply found in homes, small workshops and many units, so a machine designed for it can be used almost anywhere without needing a three phase installation. Modern inverter designs draw relatively low current for the welding power they produce.That makes these machines popular for fabrication, repair, motorsport, restoration, pipework and light industrial work, as well as for home use.
The supply limits the maximum welding current. A standard 13 amp socket gives less power than a dedicated higher-rated supply, so the output you can use continuously may be lower than the machine's maximum. Check the data plate for the input current at full output, and what protection it needs.For higher currents or heavier duty, a dedicated circuit installed by a competent electrician may be needed. Do not assume a plug-in connection will suit full output.
DC machines weld steel, stainless steel, copper and other metals except aluminium. AC/DC machines add alternating current, which breaks up the oxide layer on aluminium and magnesium, so they are needed for those metals.If you will weld aluminium at all, choose AC/DC. If you only weld steel, stainless and similar metals, DC is simpler and more economical. AC/DC machines normally also offer controls for balance and frequency, to fine-tune the arc.
Think about the thickest material you will weld and the process, and choose a rating with some margin. Aluminium needs considerably more current than steel for the same thickness, and heavier sections need more again.Also consider duty cycle, which describes how much of each ten minute period the machine can weld at a given current. A machine rated well above your usual working current runs cooler, lasts longer and is more pleasant to use.
A multi-voltage machine adapts to different supplies, for example running on both 110 and 230 volts, and sometimes wider ranges. This suits people who move between site and workshop or use different supplies.The output you get depends on the supply connected, with less at lower voltages. Check the specification at each voltage, and make sure the plug, cable and protection match the supply you connect to.
Pulse TIG alternates between a higher peak current and a lower background current many times a second. This gives better heat control on thin material, reduces distortion and burn-through, and helps on out-of-position welds and where you want a consistent bead appearance.It is not necessary for every job, but it is valuable for thin stainless, tube and precision work. Check that the pulse settings, range and frequency suit what you intend to weld.