The method in which the metal parts of various kinds of products are connected along the seam has been known for over 100 years. Welders evolved quickly enough, but the principle of their operation remained unchanged. The connection when using them is performed using electrodes and AC power. The newest type of such equipment is an inverter welding machine. What is the best way to purchase this type of tool? We will talk about this later in the article.
What is an inverter apparatus
Such equipment differs from old welding transformers and rectifiers in the first place with an improved power supply circuit. The process of igniting an electric arc in inverters is implemented easier than in older models. Due to this, such devices are characterized by the most stable operation.
How does it work
Ease of use is what distinguishes any inverter welding machine in the first place. Which unit is better in one case or another - we will talk about this a little later. To begin with, we will figure out how, in fact, the way such equipment functions.
The principle of operation of welding inverters is quite simple. The voltage supplied to the device is pre-rectified. Then it is converted back to variable with a simultaneous increase in frequency. At the next stage, this parameter is lowered. Next, the high-frequency voltage is rectified again. This technological solution made it possible to make the welding machine-inverter as compact and suitable for use at home.
Varieties
Inverters are classified mainly on the basis of differences in the characteristics of the operating current. Today on sale are available:
household appliances;
professional;
industrial.
Household inverters are small in size and not too high in cost, but are not intended for continuous operation. That is why they are used mainly only at home or in the garage. The welding current indicator for them varies between 120-200 A. Many consider the optimal option for household equipment that is designed for 160 A.
Professional models are capable of delivering a current of 200 to 300 A. Such inverters are usually used by employees of small and medium-sized companies of the corresponding specialization. This type of equipment can be used including for long-term loads. Using such an apparatus, for example, it is possible to weld communication pipes or to carry out installation work. For industrial devices, the current indicator varies in the range of 250-500 A. Such units can already be not only single-phase, but also three-phase.
What to look for when buying
What you need to consider when choosing a welding machine-inverter? What is the best unit to buy? The answer to this question may depend on factors such as:
In order to choose the right kind of apparatus, you must first determine the tasks that will be subsequently solved with its help. Conventional household inverters are designed for no more than 10-30 minutes of welding. After that, you need to take a break. If this performance is not enough, it is worth, of course, to purchase a more powerful professional welding machine-inverter. The price for such models is, of course, higher than for household ones. However, at the same time, they can also be used to perform much more complicated welding operations.
Among other things, when choosing an inverter, it is worth taking into account the stability of the network in the house. The worse the voltage quality, the higher the welding current is required. Owners of houses built in those areas where power lines do not give a stable voltage of 220 V, should consider buying a device that produces a current of at least 200 A.
Household models of inverter welding machines are usually used to work with metal with a thickness of not more than 4 mm. In this case, electrodes with a diameter of about 2.5 mm are used. If you need to work with thicker material, you should buy not a household, but a professional inverter. On such models, larger electrodes can be used.
Top brands
The brand of the manufacturer is, of course, also something that you should definitely pay attention to when choosing an inverter welding machine. Which option is best suited for this feature in this or that case is a relatively difficult question. Almost all brands of inverters currently available on the market are of very good quality. Moreover, both imported and domestic equipment of this type deserved good reviews. But, of course, there are also brands of devices on the modern market that are especially popular. These include, for example, models of foreign production Fubag, as well as domestic inverters Svarog and Resanta.
Fubag units: specifications and reviews
Professional machines of this manufacturer can be used to perform welding work of any complexity. The most popular Fubag model is the IR 200. This inverter features high current (200 A) and a wide range of operating voltages (from 150 V). Among other things, it has features such as anti-stick, hot start and afterburner.
Ease of use is what first of all earned good reviews from this welding machine-inverter. Even a novice can do the job of connecting metal parts with its use. This model earned some complaints from consumers only for the low coefficient of PV (40%). When operating at maximum current using this inverter, breaks (for 6 minutes) must be done every 4 minutes.
Svarog: reviews and features
The devices of this brand are praised primarily for the stability of the operating mode, reliability and noiselessness. They also earned good consumer reviews for their high efficiency and low demands on voltage quality. The most popular are two models of this manufacturer - ARC 250 and EASY MIG 160. What specific technical characteristics differ in the Svarog welding machine-inverter ARC 250 and model EASY MIG 160 of this manufacturer can be found in the table below.
Characteristics of Svarog invertersFeatures / Apparatus | ARC 250 | EASY MIG 160 |
Weight, kg) | 19 | 12.5 |
Dimensions (cm) | 480x210x350 | 485x185x370 |
Open circuit voltage (V) | 67 | 53 |
Required Voltage (V) | 220 | 220 |
Rated Current (A) | 225 | 190 |
Power consumption (kVA) | 9.4 | 7.1 |
Operation Mode (PV) | 60% | 60% |
As you can see, “Svarog ARC 250” is a very convenient to use and at the same time efficient welding machine-inverter. 220V - this voltage is required for him to work. And therefore, it is very convenient to use in the country or, for example, in the garage. The same goes for the EASY MIG model. This device is also quite convenient in operation and productive. However, its power is slightly less than that of the ARC 250 and it costs less.
Resanta Models
Inverters of this brand are appreciated by consumers primarily for good performance at not too high cost. The most popular model of this manufacturer is the Resanta Sai-220 welding inverter. Technical characteristics are as follows:
rated current - 10-220 A;
weight - 4.9 kg;
the required voltage is 220 V;
open circuit voltage - 80 V.
The maximum electrode diameter for this model is 5 mm.
How to choose an inverter welding machine? Issue price
Such modern equipment costs a little more than outdated transformer models. But to make welding work with its use is much more convenient. The price of the popular Svarog ARC 250 model, for example, is 30-45 thousand rubles. EASY MIG 160 devices cost about 30-35 thousand rubles. For the Fubag IR 200 model, as for less productive, suppliers usually ask about 10-12 thousand rubles. However, if you wish, you can pick up such equipment for 9-9.5 thousand rubles. Resanta Sai-220 welding machines cost 8–11 thousand rubles, depending on the region of supply.