ARC WELDING MACHINE An arc welding machine is a device used for fusing metals. The machine emits an electrical arc from an electrode which melts metal or supplies filler into a joint between two pieces of metal. To produce the temperatures up to 3,600ºC needed to fuse metals, arc welding machines consume significant quantities of energy. Arc welding technology and energy efficiency Many arc welding machines sold today use far less energy than older models, even when they are idling. Newer units fitted with inverter power sources are lighter, more versatile and more energy efficient than those powered by older, transformer-rectifier power sources. Here is how the models compare: The old, transformer-rectifier equipment had energy conversion efficiencies that ranged from 40 to 60 percent and consumed 2 to 5kW when idling. Those with inverter power sources have energy conversion efficiencies near 90 percent and consume around 0.1 kW when idling.
