Welding in degrees or amps???

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My wife was working at a construction site when she heard an inspector ask the welder what heat they were using on ½” mild steel plate.  I have always heard this referred to as amps – not degrees.  Were they talking about the same thing?
Reply:probably just an informal question on machine setting.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:"Heat" being used might also refer to preheat or post heat or interpass temps for steel especially in cold weather. Different codes can call for different temps depending on the steel used. The inspector might just be checking that the welder was using the right preheat before welding. Some guys just get it "warm enough" with a torch  by spitting on it or burning off carbon from the torch and don't really check how hot they have the material with temp sticks or a temp gun. The higher the strength the steel alloy is, the more critical actual material temps can be. On some occasions you have to stop and let the material cool before you continue so you don't damage the material structure of the steel.Doc's reply on using "heat" as a generic term to determine the machine settings also makes sense. I've seen that used in conversation that way many times. It's sort of understood what the question really is by those involved..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by DSW"Heat" being used might also refer to preheat or post heat or interpass temps for steel especially in cold weather. Different codes can call for different temps depending on the steel used. The inspector might just be checking that the welder was using the right preheat before welding. Some guys just get it "warm enough" with a torch  by spitting on it or burning off carbon from the torch and don't really check how hot they have the material with temp sticks or a temp gun. The higher the strength the steel alloy is, the more critical actual material temps can be. On some occasions you have to stop and let the material cool before you continue so you don't damage the material structure of the steel.Doc's reply on using "heat" as a generic term to determine the machine settings also makes sense. I've seen that used in conversation that way many times. It's sort of understood what the question really is by those involved.
Reply:Originally Posted by DennisKMy wife was working at a construction site when she heard an inspector ask the welder what heat they were using on ½” mild steel plate.  I have always heard this referred to as amps – not degrees.  Were they talking about the same thing?
Reply:I would have thought the same as docwelder as it is 1/2" mild steel plate.Looking at it from DSW side as an "Inspector" asked, then it could very well be a preheat temperature question.ButHeat # as Batch # on Rods, that I didn't know.