Earth screw on back of welder

[jimbojones1000]

Hello, I'm having an issue with a tig welder i bought, its a sip t214, it was cheap and i fancied a go at tig welding.

Its been sat around for a year and i came to have a go with it the other day and am a bit lost as to the earth screw on the back of the case, its main lead is a 32amp one to a commando plug and a lighting ring main, which is 2P earth, so im wondering why ive got another earth on the back of the case, the instruction imply its important and so does the google translated saftey sticker on the back! I was wondering if it is or if its for countries with 2 pin plugs and no earth? I cant wire it into the commando plug as theres no room, and it seems a bit redundant, is this something i can ignore, or do i need to have a separate earth lead to the wall?

thanks very much for your help.

 

[Jim_gsxr1000]

Its an extra earth, you dont need it

 

[jimbojones1000]

That was my hope/suspicion, but on opening it up and having a look, the main earth from the plug goes to some suppression circuit, and doesnt seem to ground the case, and having had a dig around it seems like the case earth is to suppress HF radiation, and protect nearby electronics, thing is its right by my rather expensive Fanuc VMC, which i dont really want to ****** with my cheap Chinese welder!! Suggestion seems to be an earthing rod, which seems a ball ache.

 

[pedrobedro]

Leave the Fanuc switched off while you are welding.

 

[piman]

Hello Jim,

simply earth the case to the main power lead earth inside the welder.

Alec

 

[6011 A Welding Odyssey]

Hello Jim,

simply earth the case to the main power lead earth inside the welder.

Alec

I am not sure that is correct.

 

[madkayaker]

If its just a little pissy earth bolt then its just an extra earth point for the case.

 

[pedrobedro]

Sometimes when you are welding you get a static spark before the arc starts, it just eliminates that if you earth the case to your workbench. It could be to help with the EMF from the HF interfering with other equipment as well.

 

[dannyp]

i've noticed this eath before, promtly ignored it welder works and its not tryed to bite me

 

[harvey639]

my cheep Chinese inverter 3 in 1 welder has one as well but the case on mine is earthed in the normal way so i just ignore it, not had ant problems with not using it.