Welder ground question

[600SL]

In order to make room for all my welders I find the need to put all of them under my welding table. An then I though of a brilliant idea (or maybe not so brilliant) of connecting all the grounds cables of my three machines to the steel table which include a transformer TIG welder, inverter MIG welder and an inverter plasma cutter. And the steel table would have one cable coming off it to positively ground the work.

Then I started to think (I know very dangerous), what if two welders were being operated at the same time.

1) What if one welder was operating DC+ and the other welder were operating DC-.

2) Or what id one welder were being operated in AC while the other is operated in DC.

3) Or what if both welders were being operated in AC put one welder was hooked up with one orientation on the AC bus and the and the other welder was hooked up opposite.

OK I know these are remote scenarios but they are not impossible. Does anyone see any ill effects here.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

The straight/reverse polarity might cause an issue using 2 differant machines at once.
How about some quick connects like these for your ground cables for the straight polarity machines anyway mounted to your bench,That way you could connect/disconnect them easy enough.

 

[aircommuter]

I would connect them separate and use different tables if two people are welding at the same time. There is a picture of my 600 sedan in my albums.

 

[kaffine]

I wouldn't think there would be an issue. The welders power supplies are isolated so they will only see the current that left that welder come back. Just think how many welders are working on a high rise structure at the same time.

Doesn't matter if one is running AC and the other is running DC or reverse polarity.

 

[sberry]

All mine, whole building and all the benches are connected. Mig, tig, inverters, plasma and sticks Even use the same cable for a couple.
Stick and plasma use the same ground lead for work on the apron outside.

 

[michaelf]

makes no difference, grounds just need to be clean like grind off paint etc. and be tight

 

[sberry]

I work on a 4 billion dollar plant, 1000 welding machines connected to the same place.

 

[600SL]

Thanks for the replys

The likely hood of two welders running at the same time in my shop is remote. But for the one time I do it I don't want to get electrocuted or smoke any equipment.

 

[600SL]

All mine, whole building and all the benches are connected. Mig, tig, inverters, plasma and sticks Even use the same cable for a couple.
Stick and plasma use the same ground lead for work on the apron outside.

Sound exactly like what I'm trying to do. Thanks

 

[sberry]

I use and move the ground with wire feeds. It doesn't like loops. I shortened the lead on my plasma, it's hooked to a common point with stick which has a Y in the stinger too, one for booth/bench and one with 60 ft stinger for reach.
There is a chunk of lead about 20ft with a clamp to ground from bench too. I have 2 connected steel benches and took care to eliminate loops or currents on electric grounds which is another matter.

 

[sberry]

I am not in my office. But essentially the building, benches, welding booth and a couple leads with clamps are all hooked together for ground and can use plasma on any as well as a couple stick leads, out doors too.

 

[sberry]

ground lug

 

[sberry]

This bench has a lead connecter with a whip and a ground clamp as an extension from the bench.

 

[matt_i]

I work on a 4 billion dollar plant, 1000 welding machines connected to the same place.

Just to add I also have worked in a large vehicle assembly plant for a number of years, many people welding at the same reference (building structure ground) with different weld processes and no issues.

Oftentimes there would be a stationary buzzbox in a remote location with a short ground lead attached to the building structure and then a ~200ft lead on the stinger for accessing an area several bays long/wide.

 

[Know Wosad]

sberry. You better get sanding and spraying some red Imron,******* color of course, and start waxing.Dont forget that Kewl RACER dekk !
NOT.
A real shop. It's so real it makes my back ache......just like mine.