Will using Portamig 215 on high setting cause inverter problems

[smpw]

Hi

Have recently upgraded the electrics in my workshop so I can use my Portamig 215 at the highest setting without the fuse tripping. The domestic plug on the welder has been replaced for the blue 16 amp one and a new fuseboard (think that what it's called) has been installed by a qualified electrician as per photo.

Initially the welder was wired to the 16 amp circuit breaker but it tripped and so was moved to the 20am circuit breaker were I was able to weld on the highest setting for about 20 seconds before it tripped again. The electrican will come back and has suggested a 20amp C circuit breaker and believes this will resolve the problem. However another problem has arisen. I have Boxford lathe connected via an ABB ACS 150 Inverter and this has now stopped working, well at least it would seem the inverter has, despite the fact that I have had no issues with it prior to the the new installation. The electrician does not no anything about inverters but I am guessing that the programing on the inverter has been affected. The inverter displays 00 and is aluminated. I will read through the manual again at the weekend and press a few button but would be interested to hear any comments. I would add that I do have another inverter on a Pillar drill and this is fine. Regards Steve

 

[MoreWellie]

Welders take a lot of current and the start/stop nature of welding will cause spikes on the mains which can trouble other equipment but on a specific installation like this I would expect the welder would be on its own circuit breaker rather than sharing a circuit with the inverter and this would minimise the chances of a problem occurring

I have used my Oxford 240 mig at full bore on a 16 amp socket (for some historic reason on a 32amp circuit breaker) with computers and other electronics on the same fuse board without experiencing any problems although the lights do flicker a bit :-)

the control unit in the picture doesn't seem to have much room round it, is it sufficiently ventilated where it is? The weather has been pretty hot recently and if the sun can shine on the box it could easily cook in there

 

[smpw]

Morewellie thanks for your reply. I think the air circulation is ok and the workshop is very cool in the summer, being on the North side of the house. I have spoken to ABB Drives and Controls and they have suggested a possible spike might have reset the settings, so looks like I will be doing a load of reading.