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3 phase power requirements limit this equipment to industrial use or connection to a generator. Various models to suit all output demands.
Straight answers to the questions people ask most when choosing and using three phase TIG welders.
Three phase machines are designed for industrial use, where a three phase supply is installed. The supply can provide far more power than a single phase socket, so these machines provide higher welding currents, heavier duty cycles and the ability to weld thick sections, especially aluminium, all day.They are the usual choice for fabrication shops, pipe welding, heavy repair and production work, where reliability and capacity matter more than portability.
A three phase machine needs a suitable three phase supply with the correct voltage and protection. The data plate and manual specify the voltage range, input current and fuse or breaker size. Many machines accept a range of three phase voltages.Have the installation, cable and isolator fitted and checked by a competent electrician. Do not use adaptors or improvised connections, and make sure the supply capacity suits the full welding output.
Sometimes, but only if the generator is a three phase unit suited to the welder. Check the data plate and manual for your machine for its input current and any minimum generator size or type the maker states.Generators are rated for balanced three phase loads, and power factor affects the size you need, so allow a generous margin above the welder's input requirement. The output must be stable and well regulated. An undersized or poor quality generator can cause cutting out, an unstable arc or damage to the electronics. If in doubt, ask the maker or a competent electrician before connecting.
Consider the thickest material and the metal. Aluminium needs more current than steel for the same thickness. Choose a machine with a maximum current comfortably above what you will need regularly, since this gives a better duty cycle, a cooler running machine and headroom for heavier jobs.Also consider the lowest current. A machine with a low, stable minimum current suits thin material and precise work. A wide range between minimum and maximum makes the machine more versatile.
Duty cycle is the proportion of a ten minute period that a machine can weld at a given current without overheating. A figure of 60 percent means six minutes welding and four minutes cooling. It falls as current rises.For continuous production welding, choose a machine whose duty cycle at your working current is high. Industrial three phase machines are generally built to a higher duty cycle than lighter single phase ones. Check the rating at the current you will actually use.
A DC machine welds steel, stainless steel, copper and many other metals, but not aluminium or magnesium. An AC/DC machine adds AC output, which cleans the oxide layer on aluminium and magnesium so they can be welded properly.If you will ever weld aluminium, choose AC/DC. Look for adjustable AC balance and frequency, which let you tune the cleaning action and the arc focus.