The theory is valid, in theory. It's quite common practice in electronic design to keep power supply pads / ground loops etc in close proximity and it does have a real effect.there's a theory that this will minimise impact on electronic components, however I don't think there's any evidence to support that.
it would help doing cars with return right near the weld in case you touch or burn a cable or a positive conector with the torch and short the lot out otherise it makes no odds as long as you get a firm connectionAs Adam says, but distance isn't really a factor from a conducting-electricity perspective.
Some people advocate having the earth really close when welding on cars as there's a theory that this will minimise impact on electronic components, however I don't think there's any evidence to support that.
Mine is normally attached to the leg of my welding bench, too.
Hi all.
Bit of an odd one but I have my return leaf clamped to a bare steel leg on my trestle. Am I right in thinking it is better to have it as close to the actual welding as possible?
It certainly wouldn't hurt but, electrically speaking, it makes little effective difference (as long as the connection is good). I actually prefer to have the return lead out of the way, clamped to the leg - one less item to trip over or meltHaving the return as close to the actual welding does make sense; better arc initiation and stability for TIG and reduced spatter adhering to the table for MIG - something I saw mentioned on the forum and I've been doing it since.
It certainly wouldn't hurt but, electrically speaking, it makes little effective difference (as long as the connection is good). I actually prefer to have the return lead out of the way, clamped to the leg - one less item to trip over or melt
There's so many electronics ecu's etc. on cars and tractors these days I try and use one of those spike reducer things across the battery terminals just in case even when welding on a machine on the backI always keep the earth close when welding on cars and tractors etc, just good practice, and not just for the electronics side of things, but it could be quite easy to earth through a bearing or something by mistake if you aren't thinking carefully,
I do remember watching a video somewhere of someone welding up the skeg(? bottom fin thing?!) of an outboard while it was still on the boat,
he messed up somehow and it was grounding through the outer stainless braid of the power steering pipes, didnt take many seconds before it burst into flames!!
There's so many electronics ecu's etc. on cars and tractors these days I try and use one of those spike reducer things across the battery terminals just in case even when welding on a machine on the back
Excellent, you have just given me another excuse to refuse welding peoples carsI personally just leave the battery on - the battery is the best "absorber of electricity" availiable - it is what it designed to do.
I do put the welding earth near where I am welding - not sure if that helps?
But what does scare me is: Pulse MIG/HF TIG ignition/hot start MMA. These - I will not use on car.
Low open circuit voltage is what you are after - transformer based MIG welders fit the bill very well - so do AC MMA buzzboxes.
the welded area will be good enoughIt may also be plated or rusted in the joint.
One of them is named incorrectlyGreat replies!! Naive question - the difference between an Earth lead and a return lead is?