We have a problem on our construction site relating to the damage of plant caused by stray welding current. We have seen permanent plant instrument/electrical/pump components damaged by stray welding current. Cause being improper connection of the work piece lead to the same piece being welded and close to the weld site. Training is taking place to educated welders of this hazard. Question: Is their a quick and simple instrument available that can be used to identify stray welding current so inspectors can help located improper welding practices? Any feedback on this issue will be very much appreciated.
Welding Stray Current
- Thread starter TVH
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
In theory you could put a clamp-on ammeter or permanently wired current transformer around both the work lead and the tool lead. The amount of current read on the meter will indicate how much current is returning by a path other than the work lead.
If the welder uses DC or high frequency AC a normal meter and CT may not work.
For DC you need to use a direct Hall Effect sensor instead of a current transformer. That will probably work well enough for high frequency welding too.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Problem is the one person that really needs to observe those readings is the one doing the welding - and he is not really able to look at that monitor while doing his other task.
Better training of using welders is what is needed, examples of what that current does when it follows unintended paths is important for a user to know, if that doesn't work maybe repair prices for damage will help, if that still doesn't work hopefully getting fired gives them a clue.
- Status