ParkerBrand plasma cutter - sparks - doesn't cut

[ELL]

So when I try to use it, the air comes through, but there is just a spark that seems to come from the side of the nozzle - not through hole in the centre. The plasma obviously doesn't cut. So it clearly has power, and air, so I'm not sure why it's doing this. Any ideas why? Thanks.

 

[Seadog]

That is just the HF by the sound of it.

 

[MattF]

You've checked for crap in the nozzle/shroud, or dodgy nozzle/shroud?

 

[ELL]

You've checked for crap in the nozzle/shroud, or dodgy nozzle/shroud?

I have and it's a brand new machine as well.

 

[Kram]

Have you got the ground clamp connected to your work?

I have done that before..

 

[ELL]

That is just the HF by the sound of it.

What do you mean by HF?
Here is the plasma cutter:

Plasma Cutter 30 Amp 230V Inverter Metal Plasma Cutter Max Cutting Thickness 8MM | ParkerBrand

Wow, it feels like a long time since double science class on a Wednesday afternoon! But we're getting straight into it here with a fact: Did you know that plasma is the fourth state of matter? Matter changes by introducing energy, such as heat,

www.parkerbrand.co.uk

 

[ELL]

Have you got the ground clamp connected to your work?

I have done that before..

Haha, yes. And the connection is on relatively clean steel (sanded down to silvery colour).

 

[roofman]

try resetting your nozzle and tip, it must be in the correct order and seated

 

[Seadog]

What do you mean by HF?

The pilot arc which initiates the arc, assuming that yours is pilot arc, of course.

 

[ELL]

The pilot arc which initiates the arc, assuming that yours is pilot arc, of course.

I just read the manual, and apparently it is.

 

[ELL]

I have the steel piece of plate I am cutting on directly on top of a steel work bench. The earth is connected to the plate I'm working on. Will the steel work bench affect it?

 

[roofman]

I have the steel piece of plate I am cutting on directly on top of a steel work bench. The earth is connected to the plate I'm working on. Will the steel work bench affect it?

no

 

[BrokenBiker]

With a plasma that has pilot arc, its much the same as HF tig...you pull the trigger and it creates a high frequency arc that will then initiate the actual arc when close to metal that is grounded.

Without pilot arc its more like stick welding, you pull the trigger but then have to strike/scratch it to get going.

Have you tried cutting with it?

 

[E T]

I had a look at that link. £70 for a plasma cutter?

 

[Ace Paul]

Have you got the ground clamp connected to your work?

I have done that before..

I did that the other week. Still worked through a computer case and metal work bench.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I had a look at that link. £70 for a plasma cutter?

there are a lot of cehap plasmas available now...some seem blatantly dodgy but others appear to be nkock off copies of previously decent brands

 

[ELL]

I just opened it up and there's a burnt part on the PCB and a loose connection where the burn is. I just bought it and it clearly needs a new PCB, so I will be returning it for a refund.

This PCB is very similar to the one in mine, with an arrow to the part with a burnt out connection:

 

[voipio]

The arrow is pointing at what looks like the output choke. Is that the part with a burnt out connection?

 

[dave h 2]

I have the steel piece of plate I am cutting on directly on top of a steel work bench. The earth is connected to the plate I'm working on. Will the steel work bench affect it?

It will if the bench top is under the cut. or not if it's a tin plate bench though the bench may fall in half.

 

[Erie Fred]

With a plasma that has pilot arc, its much the same as HF tig...you pull the trigger and it creates a high frequency arc that will then initiate the actual arc when close to metal that is grounded.

Without pilot arc its more like stick welding, you pull the trigger but then have to strike/scratch it to get going.

Have you tried cutting with it?

I think it's a little more refined than that.
HF = High frequency High voltage current.

Pilot arc means it will arc to the nozzle, and then onto your part (there is circuitry that Eddie has posted about)
to do the switch from the nozzle to the part. Hence you can "dry fire" it in mid-air.

No pilot arc still has HF, but the nozzle is not connected, all arcing (start & run) is only from the electrode
to the plate.