Can I get a shock?

[Andrew D]

Stupid question I know, so dont laugh too hard. On second thoughts, go for it.

I can't get a shock from the wire alone, can I?

My welder puts out 15.5V to 19.5V / 30A to 130A. I have re read the tutorials on MIG welding for more tips, and the one on set up says about holding the wire to judge the tension. Because of the resistance of me, my boots and the floor to earth, as long as I do not touch the ground on the welder etc I can't get a shock from the wire alone at that voltage, is that correct?

 

[Kent]

Generally welder induced shocks are not much to bother about at the weld end of things. Your going to get some from all sorts of screwy situations

Is it possible? I should have thought so if you complete the circuit with your body. It used to be common to trick new apprentices etc getting them to complete the circuit between two parts being welded by holding them
Yes it is dumb and you could get instant dismissal for it now but I don't think anyone ever got more than a little wiggle out of it. I never fell for it but I did bending electrodes under my armpit wearing damp overalls on a rainy day ( actually I fell for it a few times on the same day to the extent I started to feel a bit off)

 

[Andrew D]

Helpful and reassuring info for the future. I did also have another brain wave. As I have a gas / no gas welder, I could just unscrew the torch from it's terminal.

I missed the obvious, permission to laugh as hard as you like.

 

[rtbcomp]

The welding "Earth" isn't connected to mains earth, so if you grab the wire and the earth clamp isn't touching anything there won't be a circuit between you, welding "earth" and the wire.

The voltages mentioned won't give you a shock unless you're really dumb and you stick the torch in your mouth whilst holding the "earth" clamp, or something similar.

It may be possible (but unlikely) to get a tingle whilst you're welding - sparks and a coil produce high voltages, but you won't be touching the wire under these conditions and you'll be wearing gloves anyway.

 

[pedrobedro]

I used to use an old arc welder that regularly gave me a tickle when I was holding the workpiece to get to a particular position or working inside a vessel. It was also funny to watch when working in side a car and arcing up any small pieces of metal on the floor underneath would jump up and stick to the underside then fall back off.

 

[colnerov]

Hi, Different peoples sensitivity to voltage is different. I've known people that can feel 12v and don't like it. I've also worked with people who will hold the HT lead on a car to see if its firing with no ill effect. powering a coil of wire and then disconnecting will produce a back EMF of just over twice the voltage, as told to me by the electrician who kept giving involuntary squeaks when working on a 24V vehicle.

Colin

 

[Kent]

I think the sensitivity is more to do with skin contact ie moist skin
Most shocks I have had is when my clothes or such is damp or wet

 

[Appyasme1]

"Hertz" a bit on the voltage you are using,just a little tickle.

 

[Jim Davey]

It's worth bearing in mind if the primary high voltage side of the machine fails and goes short circuit to the secondary side you could end up with a lot more than a few volts (unlikely but a possibility) therefore it is best to use common sense and not complete a circuit with your body. Wear gloves, don't stand in a puddle with wet boots...

 

[Andrew D]

It's worth bearing in mind if the primary high voltage side of the machine fails and goes short circuit to the secondary side you could end up with a lot more than a few volts (unlikely but a possibility) therefore it is best to use common sense and not complete a circuit with your body. Wear gloves, don't stand in a puddle with wet boots...

So the method of testing the tension, as mentioned on the site's tutorials here... http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wire-feed.htm is not without risk? Glad I can disconnect power to the torch so i can do it without worrying

Hi, Different peoples sensitivity to voltage is different. I've known people that can feel 12v and don't like it. I've also worked with people who will hold the HT lead on a car to see if its firing with no ill effect. powering a coil of wire and then disconnecting will produce a back EMF of just over twice the voltage, as told to me by the electrician who kept giving involuntary squeaks when working on a 24V vehicle.

Colin

I had a bolt from the HT lead on a KH125 one rainy evening 15 years ago, when trying to switch to reserve tank. Turned out that it was the insulation on the lead leaking and not the fact the fule was low that the bike started spluttering. That was through a wet leather glove and hurt, arm ached for hours.

 

[Jim Davey]

So the method of testing the tension, as mentioned on the site's tutorials here... http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wire-feed.htm is not without risk? Glad I can disconnect power to the torch so i can do it without worrying



I had a bolt from the HT lead on a KH125 one rainy evening 15 years ago, when trying to switch to reserve tank. Turned out that it was the insulation on the lead leaking and not the fact the fule was low that the bike started spluttering. That was through a wet leather glove and hurt, arm ached for hours.

I had a plug top fall off during the final half lap of a Kart race years ago, I tried to put it back on as I was coasting along at about 50 mph and gave myself a hell of a belt. Pulled over to the side tried to put it back on but the threaded ferrule from the plug top was gone and there was no way I was getting another zap holding it on by hand.

 

[the snooper]

Stupid question I know, so dont laugh too hard. On second thoughts, go for it.

I can't get a shock from the wire alone, can I?

My welder puts out 15.5V to 19.5V / 30A to 130A. I have re read the tutorials on MIG welding for more tips, and the one on set up says about holding the wire to judge the tension. Because of the resistance of me, my boots and the floor to earth, as long as I do not touch the ground on the welder etc I can't get a shock from the wire alone at that voltage, is that correct?

there was a member on here that bought a used mig, turns out he could have got a shock as the mig wire was at mains voltage

 

[chris y]

I've had one changing the stick in a stick welder while kneeling in a puddle before so I'd say its possible.

 

[Kent]

My wife then my girlfriend was helping me diagnose why a Landrover wasn't starting

" just turn the key when I shout out" just when I was checking out the ht lead - yep felt like my arm muscles were revolving round the bone!

 

[jungspike]

Thanks, this discussion was related to my safety question about if I should turn the welder off before clipping wires (I thought I had to to be safe from shock). I appreciate all the veterans being patient and explaining things to us newbees.

 

[Andrew D]

Thanks, this discussion was related to my safety question about if I should turn the welder off before clipping wires (I thought I had to to be safe from shock). I appreciate all the veterans being patient and explaining things to us newbees.

Torch on mine, and therefore I asumed most if not all others, is only live when you pull the trigger, cutting the wire back should not be an issue with the welder on. Or should I not be doing that?

 

[Kent]

Don't fret. Most of us steal wire from our mig for purposes other than welding. Snipping it shouldn't create an issue if all is in order if all is not in order you could get shocked by touching the casing or even walking on the floor