Inverter welding machine: which is better and how to choose
Modern inverter welding machines are increasingly being bought for home use. That is why the question is, which of the inverters is better to choose, is relevant to many. Even if you visually compare a welding transformer and inverter type equipment, you can immediately notice the obvious differences in their size. An inverter is a mini-device, which is light in weight, which allows you to easily transport it to that place, where welding work will be performed.
Define your requirements for the inverter, we study the characteristics of the proposed devices, get acquainted with the reviews, we make the right choice - everything is simple!
Compact size and light weight are not the only arguments in favor, to select an inverter type device for use in a home workshop or cottage. Such equipment has a number of advantages, which favorably distinguish it from other types of welding machines.
To get using a quality inverter, reliable and beautiful welds, you need to know, how to choose the right welding machine for the house or for use in the country. It is important to have an idea of the principle of operation of inverter devices and the main characteristics, which they own.
Functions and principle of operation of inverter welding devices
Everyone, who still remembers the school physics course, known, how the transformer works, designed to convert voltage and current. The principle of magnetic induction is the basis of this device, due to which the voltage, coming to the input of the transformer, significantly reduced. Lowering the voltage leads to that, increasing current.
In transformers, which are used to perform welding work, standard mains voltage, the value of which is 220 V, decreases to 24-30, the current increases to several hundred amperes. A current of this strength is necessary for this, to make possible the formation between the electrode and the surface of the parts, connected by an electric arc, heat from which is used to melt them. The simplicity of the design of the welding transformer is the reason for its reliability and low cost.
Inverter, designed to perform welding work, arranged much more complicated. The work is based on a completely different principle. Electric current, coming to the input of such a device, goes through several stages of transformation:
Typical block diagram of a welding inverter
- rectification of alternating current, coming from the standard electrical network;
- pulse smoothing, which can occur in a rectified current;
- DC conversion, coming from the inverter rectifier, in variable with frequency 20-50 kHz.
- reducing the voltage of alternating high-frequency current (to 70-90 V), which increases its strength to 100-250 A.
- conversion of alternating current into direct current, which will be used to perform welding work.
Due to their electronic filling, inverters not only demonstrate the best characteristics of welding current, but also provide a number of additional options, which are especially useful for welders, not too qualified.
To such options, present in almost all modern models of equipment of this type are the following functions:
- provides fast ignition of a welding arc - "Hot start" (amperage, supplied to the electrode, automatically increases at the time of ignition of a welding arc, which makes this process quick and easy);
- minimizes the risk of the electrode sticking to the surface of the connected parts - "Anti-sticking";
- provides forcing of a welding arc - "Arc forcing".
The essence of the anti-stick function
The function of "Anti-sticking" is, that at the time of contact of the electrode with the surface of the part, when there is a high risk of welding, the electric current ceases to be applied to the electrode. Once the electrode is disconnected from the surface of the part, the selected welding modes are automatically restored.
Forcing the welding arc involves, that the welding current at the moment of critical approach of the electrode to the surface of the part increases, thus the risk of welding (sticking) also minimized. It should be borne in mind, that this option, which allows you to form a stable arc and minimize the spattering of molten metal, not present in all inverter models. This must be taken into account, deciding on that, which welding machine to choose.
The enlarged output connectors provide sufficient conductivity to operate at maximum modes
To choose and buy the welding machine for the house or giving, relating to the inverter type, - the best option also because, that such a device can work with electrodes of any type. It can be used to perform welding of various metals (steel, cast iron, non-ferrous metals). Stainless steel in this respect can also be successfully welded with such a device. Truth, for this you will have to buy additional equipment and consumables (gas bag, refueling with argon, tungsten electrodes and holders for their use).
Sheet metal welding is also not a problem for modern inverters. For these purposes, it is better to use semi-automatic welding technology. To do this, you will need to purchase an additional device, feeding welding wire, as well as a balloon, which will contain carbon dioxide.
Controls and connectors of the semi-automatic welding machine "Fast and Furious-200" (click to enlarge)
If you are interested, how to choose a welding machine, specially designed for semi-automatic welding, it is better to pay attention to the model, in the case of which there is already a device, responsible for the supply of welding wire. Such models of inverters, which are used without any problems for work in the home workshop or in the country, can be easily learned from the labeling, containing the letter combination MIG / MAG.
Inverters for welding work at home or in the country
Before deciding on that, how to choose a welding inverter for home, it is necessary to understand the types of such devices, presented in the modern market. Today you can buy inverters of the following categories:
- equipment for industrial use;
- professional category devices;
- household appliances, which can be used in a home workshop or cottage.
The differences between devices of different categories is their cost, functionality and work cycle duration.
For household use (when there is no need for a long time to engage in welding work without a break) do not buy expensive professional equipment. For such purposes it is enough to buy an inverter, which is able to work on 10-15 minutes with a half-hour break. If you are interested in the best inverter to equip the production site, it is inexpedient to buy a household model.
Inverters are usually bought for welding work at home or in the country, are intended for manual arc welding. Such devices are easily recognizable by labeling, which contains the letters MMA. Figures, following these letters, allow you to determine the strength of the operating current, for which the equipment is designed.
We understand the technical characteristics of inverter devices
Test of welding inverters, carried out at their choice, will not tell you anything, if you do not have information about it, what are the technical characteristics of the equipment you buy. The characteristics of inverters are not only their reliability, but also to a number of other parameters.
The magnitude of the voltage
Choosing a welding machine for use at home or in the country, you need to pay attention to that equipment, which operates on voltage 220-230 V. This is important, so that the device can operate when the voltage deviates, constituting 10-15%. If you buy such an inverter, you will be able to work on it absolutely as at voltage drops in an electric network, and with its fluctuations.
Duration of equipment activation (PV)
This parameter, which is very important for inverter devices, If there is a number, how the time of its continuous operation at maximum load is correlated with time, necessary for a break. Let's say, PV equipment meets 60%. This means, what after 10 minutes of inverter operation must be given 10 minutes break, during which it must cool.
Operating cycle of the welding inverter with the duration of inclusion 60% at current 300 Ampere
Welding current control range
If you look at the rating of welding inverters, then the highest steps in it are occupied by devices, in which the welding current can be adjusted within wide limits. This is due to the fact, that such devices are widely versatile: with their help it is possible to cook equally successfully as thin-sheet details, and massive blanks. Household mini-inverters, whose functionality is not subject to too high requirements, allowing to receive working current in an interval 150-200 A.
Diameter of electrodes for welding works
This parameter, which can vary in the range of 1.4-6 mm, directly depends on the current, which is capable of producing an inverter. Regardless of the manufacturer, this parameter is always indicated in the marking of the welding machine. It is always better to buy equipment with some stock for this parameter. This will allow you to get quality welded joints even in that case, if the mains voltage is low.
Dependence of welding current on the size of the electrodes and the thickness of the metal
Organization of ventilation
Any inverter, the basis of the design of which are complex electronic circuits, reacts very painfully to the presence of dust in the surrounding air. If the ventilation system is not a very important parameter for household appliances, then industrial inverters, operated in highly polluted air, must be equipped with a modern tunnel system. in addition, no matter what ventilation system the inverter is equipped with, at least twice a year its entrails must be cleaned of dust, accumulated.
Rear panel of a professional inverter with two fans
Temperature operating conditions
Because the basis of the design of any inverter are electronic circuits, that it does not tolerate low temperatures (from -15 degrees Celsius). If you decide to buy an inverter device, it is better to choose those models, which can be operated in the temperature range from -10 to +40 degrees Celsius. Such features of this mini-equipment determine the requirements, presented to the conditions of its storage. Rooms, in which the inverter will be located, should not only be warm: the risk of condensation must also be ruled out, able to disable electronic circuits of the device.
The main and most expensive unit of any inverter device is its power module, in which the formation of current with high frequency. If you analyze the review of the reasons, according to which such a unit may fail, then the most common of them is a significant voltage jump in the electrical network, non-compliance with the speed mode of cutting thick metal, at which thermal protection can not have time to work.
Choosing an inverter for home use, it is necessary to spend time to get acquainted with reviews of such equipment and user feedback on specific brands and models. This will give you the opportunity to buy the device, which will not cause any problems during operation and maintenance, will allow to receive high-quality and reliable welds.
Which brand of inverter to choose?
In today's market there is a great variety of brands and models of inverter devices, in the choice of which even an experienced specialist may be confused. Even a cursory review of the market shows, that it is presented as an inexpensive mini-device, and multifunctional inverter devices, which can be used even to equip production sites.
The best way to buy cheap, but reliable inverter equipment for use in the home workshop or cottage is the analysis of the review of the models offered on the market, reading reviews and choosing the best option. Naturally, an indirect indicator of the quality of a particular model of inverter device is its price.
Comparison of inverters of different brands
The highest quality and, in accordance, the most expensive are inverters, made in Finland, Germany and Italy. Devices are in the middle price category, manufactured by companies from Russia and China. If you are interested in inexpensive inverter models, it is worth paying attention to the products of Chinese companies. Some European companies also produce inexpensive inverter devices, but their range is not wide enough.
Keep this in mind when buying an inexpensive inverter model, that the functionality of such equipment is severely limited, and welding current, which it produces, regulated in a very narrow range.
