Max. welding current
The highest current that the welding machine is capable of delivering through the electrodes during operation. In general, the higher this indicator, the thicker the electrodes the device can use and the greater the thickness of the parts with which it can work. Of course, it does not always make sense to chase high currents — they are more likely to damage thin parts. However, if you have to deal with large-scale work and a large thickness of the materials to be welded, you simply cannot do without a device with the appropriate characteristics. Optimum welding currents depending on materials, type of work (see "Type of welding"), type of electrodes, etc. can be specified in special tables. As for specific values, in the most “weak” models, the maximum current
does not even reach 100 A, in the most powerful ones it can exceed
225 A and even
250 A.Max. welding current (duty cycle 100%)
The highest welding current at which the machine is able to operate with a duty cycle of 100%.
See below for more information on the frequency of inclusion (PV). Here we recall that “100% duty cycle” means continuous operation, without shutdowns for cooling. Thus, the maximum welding current at 100% duty cycle is the highest current at which the machine can be used without interruption. Usually, this current is much lower than the maximum.
Max. electrode size
The largest diameter of the electrode that can be installed in the welding machine. Depending on the thickness of the parts, the material from which they are made, the type of welding (see above), etc. the optimal electrode diameter will be different; there are special tables that allow you to determine this value. Large diameter may be required for thick materials. Accordingly, before purchasing, you should make sure that the selected model will be able to work with all the necessary electrode diameters.
In modern welding machines, an electrode diameter
of 1 mm or less is considered very small,
2 mm — small,
3 mm and
4 mm — medium, and powerful performant models use
electrodes of 5 mm or
more.
Case (bag) included
The presence of a
case or bag for storage and transportation in the scope of delivery of the welding machine.
Cases are characteristic hard containers in the form of a suitcase; such containers provide excellent protection against moisture and dirt, as well as against impacts. Bags, in turn, are made soft; they are inferior to cases in terms of the quality of protection, but they are less bulky and can be folded quite compactly when not needed. Well, anyway, complete packaging usually turns out to be more convenient and practical than impromptu.
