power tools arcing to table

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So I have a Miller syncrowave 250 (the old box variety) and whenever I leave a plugged in grinder on the table, and flip on the switch to the welder, it will start arcing to the table!Like the casing of the grinder will literally strike an arcThe first time it happened it scared the **** out of me, because I thought I had ruined the grinder, but it works fine stillNo other welder I've ever used has done this, is it a machine problem?Btw I was welding 5/32 6011 when it happened, around 150amps
Reply:I've had this happen before. Because I left my welder's ground clamp somewhere else, and I was getting ground through the building's electrical system. If this is not your case, you have an electrical problem in your shop!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:It sounds like your table is electrically "hot".   I would check the voltage between the table and electrical ground while the welder is on.  I have a voltmeter, so that would be very quick and might tell me a lot.   The higher the voltage, the more likely that the welder is defective.  (You said that you did not need to be welding to see the arcing).  It may be that you need to ground the table to a good building ground.   I think that if you open the welder manual, you will see that this is recommended.I think that it is possible that your welder is defective in some way.  Perhaps someone could make some suggestions that would help you figure out the cause of the problem.  If your table is electrically hot, then that is a serious safety issue, and needs to be corrected.But lets see what the real experts say.RichardSculptures in copper and other metalshttp://www.fergusonsculpture.comSyncrowave 200 Millermatic 211Readywelder spoolgunHypertherm 600 plasma cutterThermal Arc GMS300 Victor OA torchHomemade Blacksmith propane forge
Reply:Well I had a closer look at my settings, I'm in reverse polarity, so the ground cable is the "hot" wireI've used other machines in the same setup and haven't had this happen, but my stinger isn't even on the table, so the machine "shouldn't"have a completed circuit but the grinder is providing a ground to the buildings circuit,That's my thought haha, but I would love a new welder if this one is defective
Reply:I think you really need to get an electrician in there to find the problem, before you get hurt!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI think you really need to get an electrician in there to find the problem, before you get hurt!
Reply:Straight polarity is Stinger negative DCEN. Reverse polarity is stinger positive DCEP.Like walkerweld said," primary circuits should be isolated from welder outputs.The weld ground finding a path thru your building electrical is not good but what I think your saying is the table is hot and arcing thru grinder ground. This doesnt make sense to me but it doesnt have to. Get it checked out before you fry your welder, building electrical or yourself.
Reply:Originally Posted by Ian DuffinWell I had a closer look at my settings, I'm in reverse polarity, so the ground cable is the "hot" wire
Reply:Originally Posted by pin2hotThe "work" connection from a welder is commonly referred to as ground.  This causes confusion.  It is in no way related to the ground in an electrical system.  As others have pointed out, the welder secondary connections should be electrically isolated from the primaries, (incoming power feed.)Does your power tool(s) in question have 3-wire cords?
Reply:Are your power tools two pronged or grounded? I have seen two prong tools arc when pluge in backwards.
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverNot if the work lead is grounded to the welders chassis. If this is the case it'll be tied to the earth ground, or the neutral line (which is probably has if the welder has 120v outlets on it).
Reply:Maybe plug in one of those cheap 3 light household plug tester to see if the wies are reversed.
Reply:The work lead is not supposed to be connected to the welder's chassis ground.The secondary circuits are supposed to be 100% isolated/insulated from the chassis ground or any other primary circuits.The secondary circuit is a "stand alone electrical system", as such it is not permitted to have any common connections or share circuits with the primary circuits of the welder.