250 dialarc hf excess electric draw

[jred]

I have a 250 dialarc hf with a redi cool and a water cooled torch. I have used this machine for a long time with no problems at all. We use this machine to repair cylinder heads and fab work.

Last year i had some problems with tripping the breaker with the machine on full load it is only suppose to pull 103 amps i have a 100 amp breaker in the panel sometimes I don't preheat the cylinder head enough and have to really stand on the waa waa pedal. so now it tripps the breaker more often. I had an electrian come over and check the machine the voltage is fine but the machine pulls over 140amp at or almost full load the welds look good and i get good pentatration any imput from anybody thanks john

[ccawgc]

breaker could now be weak from tripping. Also did your electrician check the voltage drop at the welder line terminals?. Non load voltage verses welder under load voltage. This check should be done at the welder and at the main electrical service box. If the voltage is dropping to less than 200 volts. down from 240 volts. This may be why the amps are high. To maintain a 150 amp arc pulls power. If the line voltage drops, the line current goes up. Basic Ohms / watts law . An overloaded transformer, bad connection, under sized wires, all can cause voltage drop.

[jred]

yes I had him check for voltage drop my voltage is 208 3ph and line voltage was more than 200 volts with the machine at full load just the amps draw went up to 140 amps under full power welding ac on alum plate thanks john

[tanker]

The 103 amp load is at rated output (250 amps). If you are pushing the unit up over 300 amps pulling 140 amps may not be out of the question.

Tanker