Troubleshooting your welding equipment may mean the difference between finding and fixing a simple problem rather than replacing the entire unit. If you know what to look for you can usually diagnose the problem and proceed to fix it or have someone who is more experienced fix the problem. But knowing the basic troubleshooting steps for your welding machine, you may be able to avoid a lot of downtime and avoid spending a lot of money on repairs.
The first thing you will want to check is if the wire is feeding properly. If you notice a problem, it may be a symptom of a worn drive roller. Having a worn drive roller can affect how the wire is fed and may cause it to slip. To detect a worn drive roller you will want to look for any debris or dirt on the liner. Sometimes all you need to do is clean your welding machine properly and your wire will move freely once again.
The next thing to examine is the tip near the wire exit located inside the welding gun. If your tip is too worn the electricity produced by your machine doesn’t effectively hit and can create extra work for the welder. If you have experienced any burn back, that can also cause a bad wire. If you notice any of these problems you will want to replace the tip of your welding gun as soon as possible to avoid further problems.
To properly troubleshoot your machine you will also want to insure that the welding cup is free of spatter. This may seem like an unnecessary task but to properly troubleshoot your equipment, having a clean machine helps you to notice any problems. It is also important to have a clean cup to achieve proper gas coverage when welding, if the cup is plugged the quality of the weld you produce may become affected.
Your next step should be inspecting the ground clamp. If the ground clamp becomes coated with oxides, electrons can’t easily transfer. If you have a bad ground clamp it can cause a lot of resistance and alter the way that the current flows back to the welding machine. Examining the welding cable for any worn or frayed areas is also important. A damaged cable can cause damage to your machine and other problems while you’re welding. It is also important to adjust the brake on the wire spool; if it is set either too high or too low you can experience problems with your welding machine.
These are only a few tips to help you diagnose any problems you may be experiencing. If you follow these steps and are still having problems you may need to consult a repairman who is familiar with the type of machine you are using. It is also valuable to speak with a technician at the company who manufactures your welder.
