Power surges

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so, with all the power issues we're having in my area it just popped it my head "what should you do if the power is surging and you're welding?"  do you guys un plug your welders? or just shut them down for the day? granted if your engine driven this is a moot point. Just never came across the situation before and was wondering.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Since you can't really predict a power surge (with the exception of a brush fire, or snow storm perhaps), you just keep on welding. Power surges may last just a minute or two, with a few bumps or just only one in that time period.It's hard to say. You may have a lot of downtime to explain if your waiting for the power to "clean up" or get back to the usually voltage. Usually management knows about the power situation, ask for advice.JanErikLast edited by JanErik; 01-25-2012 at 01:24 AM."The trouble with quotes on the Internet is that you can never know if they are genuine." - Abraham Lincoln
Reply:I was more concerned with surge protection, as I haven't seen one for 220v. is there one built into the welder?There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:If you think you are having significant power surges you should talk to your power company. You should also have your electrician check your power distribution equipment to be sure that the problem is actually the power company's and not your's. The power companies are required to maintain their line voltage withing certain limits. If your area proves to have problems beyond these limits they will take steps, at their expense, to fix it. Most often the problem isn't actually a surge, but fluctuating voltages down from the nominal voltage. When it comes back up to a more normal level it appears to the user to be a surge.  If the power company doesn't help you within a reasonable amount of time you should call the public service commission. This usually gets them to change their priorities and help you. CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Originally Posted by ThorsHammerI was more concerned with surge protection, as I haven't seen one for 220v
Reply:I like these for residential:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...W2Q2932R006M1Q
Reply:My welding eqipment gets put away in the shed everyday, so it is always unplugged when not in use. But for my ham radio and electronics, its on a surge protector and unplugged. It's 100% protection.-AlexSears/Craftsman 230A Buzzy BoxSears/Craftsman 180A Buzzy BoxChicago Electric 80A InverterALL STICK...ALL THE TIME!I spent a lot of time with the square peg and round hole.
Reply:Lightning strikes on power lines can short diodes in ac dc welders.Lightning jumps switches with ease so I keep machines unplugged.Best way to avoid damage.
Reply:The newer inverter machines can handle +-10% of nominal voltage on a continuous basis, beyond that I really dont know what you would do, fortunately, transformers really arent too sensitive, its the support electronics (diodes,rectifyers, capacitors) that get burned up easily
Reply:Yeah, lightning strikes, and very high voltage lines falling across lower voltage lines, often from auto accidents, storms and wild fires. And very sudden large load changes can all cause some pretty dramatic inductive voltage spikes.Most are pretty minor, but a really big one can fry just about anything, even burn your house down. Not a lot you can do about it really, but some protection is better than none, and most good quality electronic equipment has some level of inbuilt protection.Cheers,  Tony._________________________________Transmig 310 + Argoshield LightOxy acetyleneOxy propanePrehistoric stick welder_________________________________
Reply:I've been having problems with this lately. The power company currently has a recorder on my meter to check it. My newest XMT304 went pop while welding a few weeks back and quit working. Fortunately it's in warranty (barely) so I sent it off. The same day I put my old (over 10 years old) one on to finish the job. The whole rest of that day it kept giving me help 7 codes for over voltage. It's given me the code a few times since then but not as often. Hopefully the power company will catch it doing it and do something about it.Millermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm