itstippy
Well-known member
Why are the work leads ("ground cables") on my welders "beefier" than the electrode leads? Don't they both handle the same amount of current? Just wondering.
Welding Lead Diameter Question
- Thread starter itstippy
- Start date
American Locomotive
Well-known member
Most welders I've seen use the same size cables for both. In your case, I suspect it's because they're trying to find a balance between voltage drop and operator usability. Going to a heavier work lead may allow them to go to a slightly smaller, lighter and more flexible electrode lead.
I got to questioning my memory, so I went out to the shop and looked at the welders and leads.
The big AC stick welder has a beefier stinger lead than work clamp lead. That's opposite of how I remembered it. I wish it were the other way around, because waving that stinger around is like weightlifting.
The puny AC stick welder has same size leads (lamp cord, pretty much).
The wire feed welder appears to have same size leads, although the electrode lead looks bigger because of the gas line/wire feed liner. I don't see how the electrode lead (steel wire liner, like a bicycle brake cable) can handle as much current as the big copper strand work lead, but it must somehow.
The stick/TIG welder has a much beefier work lead than TIG lead, even though the TIG lead accomodates a gas line and is very light and flexible. The collet/collar/electrode arrangement in the torch isn't anywhere near as beefy as the big work lead clamp. Yet they handle the same current? I don't see how, but again they must.
The stick/TIG welder has same size leads for stick welding. They're beefy and not very flexible compared to the TIG torch lead.
The big AC stick welder has a beefier stinger lead than work clamp lead. That's opposite of how I remembered it. I wish it were the other way around, because waving that stinger around is like weightlifting.
The puny AC stick welder has same size leads (lamp cord, pretty much).
The wire feed welder appears to have same size leads, although the electrode lead looks bigger because of the gas line/wire feed liner. I don't see how the electrode lead (steel wire liner, like a bicycle brake cable) can handle as much current as the big copper strand work lead, but it must somehow.
The stick/TIG welder has a much beefier work lead than TIG lead, even though the TIG lead accomodates a gas line and is very light and flexible. The collet/collar/electrode arrangement in the torch isn't anywhere near as beefy as the big work lead clamp. Yet they handle the same current? I don't see how, but again they must.
The stick/TIG welder has same size leads for stick welding. They're beefy and not very flexible compared to the TIG torch lead.
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sberry
Banned
There is a copper cable in the mig lead, the liner doesn't carry current.