Longhorn6120
Member
- Messages
- 268
- Location
- Kent, UK
I realise these are proper newbie questions, but bear with me...
I have a Rohr inverter MIG welder that, like all MIGs, outputs enough power to meld metal, but I'm led to understand the voltage is pretty low, somewhere in the region of 20-30v DC. I'm sure we've all accidentally clipped the opposing terminal with the wrench when disconnecting a car battery and seen the spark even 12v can generate, so clearly the muscle is coming from the current available and mine is theoretically capable up to around 250A.
So I have a couple of questions:
I have a couple of reasonably good (but not top dollar) DMMs, would I be safe to attach the probes to the earth strap and wire feed to take an accurate measurement of the voltage or do I risk blowing the DMM up?
Also, is the voltage/current available sufficient to cause injury/death? For example, if I were to stupidly touch the live wire feed and earth at the same time? My natural instinct is to say of course, but in all the H&S warnings I've seen regarding welding I don't ever remember seeing this mentioned. We're warned about heat, fire risk, arc-eye risk, etc., but I don't remember ever seeing a warning regarding electrical shock.
I have a Rohr inverter MIG welder that, like all MIGs, outputs enough power to meld metal, but I'm led to understand the voltage is pretty low, somewhere in the region of 20-30v DC. I'm sure we've all accidentally clipped the opposing terminal with the wrench when disconnecting a car battery and seen the spark even 12v can generate, so clearly the muscle is coming from the current available and mine is theoretically capable up to around 250A.
So I have a couple of questions:
I have a couple of reasonably good (but not top dollar) DMMs, would I be safe to attach the probes to the earth strap and wire feed to take an accurate measurement of the voltage or do I risk blowing the DMM up?
Also, is the voltage/current available sufficient to cause injury/death? For example, if I were to stupidly touch the live wire feed and earth at the same time? My natural instinct is to say of course, but in all the H&S warnings I've seen regarding welding I don't ever remember seeing this mentioned. We're warned about heat, fire risk, arc-eye risk, etc., but I don't remember ever seeing a warning regarding electrical shock.