Can anyone tell me what this symbol is on my welder

[azitizz]

Hi there, Im just wondering what this symbol is on the back of my welder above a small hole. (sorry bad picture) Im not too familiar with electrical symbols, usually its pretty obvious but this one I cant figure out.

[Bob the Welder]

I believe that's a ground symbol for an electrical hookup.

[BruceTS]

yup..... that's a ground symbol

[woi2ld]

i think the upside down christmas tree is ground. pretty sure. final answer

[500HpSilverado]

Earth ground

[azitizz]

Great, thank you. So I guess if I may be working in a moist area or somewhere where there may be risk of shock I should hook up a ground wire?

[transit]

I would think that it is already grounded through the power plug; the round pin on the plug should be connected to the metal case of the welder. Check for continuity with a multi meter, case to ground pin on the plug?

[zopi]

alien prison tatoo....

the machine should be chassis grounded through the power cord...usually a green wire...

[azitizz]

Your right it is already grounded with the power cord I should have realized that. Whats the point of the extra grounding hole/attachement then? Perhaps if the power source doesnt have a built in ground?

[lugweld]

That is a high frequency ground if it is a tig welder. It should be grounded separately to an outside ground rod.

[azitizz]

Originally Posted by lugweld

That is a high frequency ground if it is a tig welder. It should be grounded separately to an outside ground rod.

or to your typical in-home ground, like the plumbing?

[Stack of Dimes]

That's the level you're supposed to submerge the unit in water up to.

[azitizz]

Originally Posted by Stack of Dimes

That's the level you're supposed to submerge the unit in water up to.

Hmmm, I just tried that but all this smoke and sparks started flying everywhere. Now an arc comes out of the torch handle and zaps through my arm and out my cranium and dims the lights. Is it suposed to do that? Maybe I should stand in the water while the machine is running, Ya OK Ill try that first and let you all know how it goes.

[Stick-man]

I always thought it was for an earth ground. On some jobsites I thought they make you bury a rod and you have to connect it to there to ground the machine. I am pretty sure my Honda generators have them also.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by lugweld

That is a high frequency ground if it is a tig welder. It should be grounded separately to an outside ground rod.

That is what I would think as well. Otherwise it is more likely for the HF to cause interference in more sensitive electric and electronic appliances.

It is definitely a ground symbol though.

And no, not plumbing.

[denrep]

Originally Posted by Stack of Dimes

That's the level you're supposed to submerge the unit in water up to.

That's not funny Stack. You could get somebody hurt.
You know full well that the symbol indicates the level the inside should be filled up to.