Max OCV

[Planet X]

I am participating in a thread over on the Hobart board and this question came up for myself;

What does Max open circuit voltage mean exactly in layman's terms? Like in advertising for the various welders out on the market?
For example;Hobart Ironman250 max ocv = 36volts.
Millermatic 251 max ocv = 38volts.
Powermig 255 max ocv = 40 volts.

Does this mean that the Powermig 255 can push more electrons out've the end of the mig gun than the two other welders?

And what about the Esab clunker:p the Migmaster 250 w/ 55 vdc . Is Esab saying the same thing as the other machines with[ VDC] (assuming volts direct current) when the others say just[ Volts ] after the numbers?

[Franz]

Unless you're tryin to get knocked on your a$$, OCV on a machine doesn't mean a lot. It's just the voltage between electrode and ground till you short electrode to work and establish an arc. The instant the arc is established, the voltage changes considerably.
Many years back, I was told the OCV is on the nameplate to provide an indicator to work from when troubleshooting transformer machines, and it can be handy there.
Thanks to mass marketing and whining crybabys who complained cause they didn't stay the he!! out of the welding circuit, many of the new machines have a very lo OCV, witch becomes the source of problems when trying to start an arc with certain rods. To my understanding, the new machines employ a sensing circuit to turn the transformer or machine on and off so people don't get shocked.
After all, we must make everything safe to extend the life of Hillopotomous and Hanoi John supporters.

[Planet X]

Shoot, I was hoping I found something else to fun Aaron about:D

[Franz]

What'd 2.0 do now?