Which inverter welding machine is better. Inverter welding machine

Many professionals and amateurs are interested in what is better to buy - a welding machine or inverter? How to choose the most productive and reliable model?

Professional welders believe that the optimal model of the inverter is selected individually. In the case of a lack of relevant experience in this matter and the inability to choose the inverter welding machine, which one will work better - we will tell in this material.

What is a welding inverter?

Everybody knows that metal parts are connected by welding. For the implementation of the process, a welding device is used - a device that generates an electric arc that heats and melts the metal. To the material to be welded, the energy converted into heat enters through the electrodes.

The arc power source can be different. One of the types of such devices is an inverter. Its function is to feed a high frequency current.

Thanks to an excellent level of performance, this device became the basis for creating innovative modifications of welding machines of this line. As a result, a new semiautomatic device with an inverter source of electricity appeared on the market, whereas in devices of a different type the current is fed through a transformer or rectifier. With such a wide choice, questions arise. So, inverter welding: which is better, how to choose the device?

Advantages of inverter welding

The inverter has many advantages:

• High efficiency is up to 95%.
• Economical consumption of electrotechnical materials, including those that are scarce.
• A wide range of performance indicators and the ability to choose the right one, which is very important, when welding uses thin electrodes.
• Simultaneous use of several current supply sources is used.
• The welding regime is regulated gradually, it has a wide range of current and voltage.
• The power supply can also be controlled from a distance.
• Electricity is consumed with low losses.
• The inverter transformer has small dimensions and weight, which greatly facilitates the carrying.
• The presence of double insulation and a powerful fuse provides a high level of welding safety.
• For welding, any type of coated electrode is used, and the process itself is performed both with variable and constant current supply.
• Lightly ignition of the arc, stable ignition when the maximum current is applied is provided by the Hot-Start function. An ordinary transformer is not able to provide arc stability and stability of the operating mode.
• The Arc-Force function reduces the power supply to a minimum in the event of a short circuit. This eliminates sticking of the electrodes.
• No or few welding sprays. During the work, the use of magnetic blasting is not required.
• Inverter welding is even possible with alloys that are not joined by the usual method, as well as steel.
• A similar welding method is available even for beginners.

Inverter welding inefficiencies

To date, the inverter unit is considered the best among all welding machines. It is easy to use, safe and, most importantly, has a high level of performance.

Despite such a number of advantages, this device has its own disadvantages:

• The cost of the device is several times greater than that of a conventional transformer. If it is not required to carry out high-quality works, it is better to purchase a unit of a cheap segment, provided that the welder has a sufficient level of preparedness.
• Repair of the transformer is not so expensive. Fixing the semiautomatic device will not be expensive. This is because the "brain" of the device is the IGBT module. The reasons for the malfunction in its operation are the most common: an overload when cutting an iron sheet of large thickness or sudden voltage surges when the thermal relay does not have time to respond.
• The inverter is sensitive to dust. With its large number, the device may deteriorate. If you work at a construction site, it is recommended to monitor the cleanliness of the device and carry out regular preventive cleaning and blowing operations.
• Electronic components of the semiautomatic device do not work at temperatures below 0 ° C.
• It is also harmful to store the device in the cold. A low temperature contributes to condensation on the electronic filling of the device and can subsequently lead to breakage of certain components.

Household welding inverter: on what to stop the choice?

The use of an inverter unit is actual not only in construction conditions, but also at home. Features are often used by owners of country houses and villas.

The decision to purchase a semi-automatic gives the opportunity to quickly solve current problems. For the correct choice of the unit, you need to know which parameters you should pay special attention to.

Which inverter welding machine is better? A good choice depends not only on the level of quality, capabilities or price, but also on the technical conformity of the device to the required features of the job and the conditions under which it will be used.

To the number of technical data that allow us to decide which inverter welding machine is best, we can include the following:

• The presence of a protective mechanism built into the device. It provides protection against voltage drops. Most aggregates of this type react negatively to the jumps in the mains voltage. The wider the range of the device, the more protected the unit and its higher cost. For industrial use, the level of protection is 25%. Apparatus used in domestic conditions, have a level of 15%.
• Equipped with a fan. Semiautomatic machines react to the effect of dust. Modification of the device involves the presence of a ventilation system that cools the machine, and also serves as a protection against the penetration of dust. To reduce its number of engineers have applied a tunnel ventilation scheme. The availability of the system also affects the cost of the unit. It is advisable to purchase an inverter without a fan, and if necessary, clean it by blowing or a soft brush.
• Availability in the service center of printed circuit boards for a particular modification. They are prone to frequent spoiling, and repair them is quite expensive. The conclusion is that if the service center has new printed circuit boards of the required type and is ready to carry out repair work at any time, this indicates that this model often spoils. If the spare parts of the equipment you choose are imported only to order - the device is of high quality. Be sure to ask about the cost of repairs, as well as the country-manufacturer of spare parts for the unit.

Making the Right Choice

So which inverter welding machine is better? Today, a wide range of automata of this type are represented on the market. They are made both in our country and abroad (Europe, China). Often, in Chinese models, you can find Japanese parts, or in an assembly produced in a European country - Chinese spare parts. The choice of inverter should not be done by brand or brand. It is better to pay attention to the technical data of the device. Household welding inverter: on what to stop the choice? The acceptable range of operation of such an aggregate is 160 to 200 A.

Duration of switching on

Working at a high voltage level, the unit must be switched off periodically to avoid overheating. With an indicator of the duration of operation of 40%, the inverter unit keeps the arc of only 10 minutes out of 10 minutes. After working, he turns off to cool down. With a lower current strength, the unit will last longer. It is necessary to choose an aggregate with a high voltage index. Optimum option - from 50 to 90V.

Protection against dust and moisture

When purchasing a welding machine, pay attention to its protection class: IP21 - from steep drops of rain and particles larger. There is another protection class IP23, which prevents wetting from oblique rain. But the work of a welding machine in the rain is prohibited by safety rules.

Package Contents

Buyers are interested in which inverter welding machine is better, with or without a suitcase. Acquire the device, which has a special suitcase.

In it, the unit is stored or transferred. For convenience, the inverter is hung on the shoulders on special belts. Often a hammer and a mask are attached to the kit, but they have no practical value. It is better to buy a mask separately.

Power Consumption

Buying the device for domestic use, you should carefully read the instructions. It will indicate the data on the mains fuse, which is recommended by the manufacturer for the operation of the device. In order not to have to remodel the device for household electricity, the power consumption indicator should be from 16 to 25 A. The inverter consumes electricity much more than an electric kettle. This requires careful preparation of extension cords, wires and sockets. An automatic or fuse is installed at the input. Only after this you can start working.

In order not to damage the unit from voltage drop, the welding device is de-energized only by means of the switch that is available in the device.

Warranty card

Inverter welding machine: which one is better to buy? Realized from private hands or specialized stores?

It is recommended to purchase the unit only in special shops, where you will be given a warranty card and prompt where the service center is located.

Additional functionality of the device

• The functions Hot Start and Arc Force provide an increase in the current supply in case of a sharp approach of the electrode to the working surface in order to avoid sticking. The first function initially provides a high supply of current, which facilitates the work of the arc.
• The Anti-Stick function lowers the welding current when the electrode is sticking and gives time for its detachment.
• A generator running on gasoline replaces electricity. This function ensures the use of the unit in the absence of current.
• Carrying out of body works. Using electrodes of small size, you can use the inverter in the car repair shops.
• Welding of any type of metal. Most models of inverters floor strength to weld stainless steel and cast iron. There are devices for joining non-ferrous metals by means of argon-arc welding.

Many people ask: inverter welding machines - which is better to use?

Undoubtedly, the choice of this type of unit directly depends on the level of your qualification. Lovers can buy a unified model. For experienced people, expensive multifunctional devices are suitable.