MIG/TIG Welding EMI Source -- Medical device

[sargent11235]

Hello All,
Have a question that I was curious about. I have a medical device and am able to weld on lower currents (below 180 amps) without any problems. I noticed that the manual for my welder said for people sensitive to EMI to stay away from the power source. What is the power source? In an MIG/TIG welder is most of the EMI coming from the arc itself (i.e. where we're melting metal) or the machine?

Thanks

[Louie1961]

At least for DC welding I bet an inverter creates more EMI than the arc due to the frequencies used in the switching circuits. I run a ham radio here pretty frequently and I get most of my interference from my daughters' LED light strings hanging in their bedrooms

[CAVEMANN]

I know a guy that was told not to weld after recieving a pacemaker, I don't know if this helps with your question. but that's what I know.

[G-ManBart]

From a literal perspective, the power source should be either the transformer or inverter in the welder. The torch/stinger/etc is where the power is applied, not the source. If they were considering the source to be the torch there is no way to stay away from it. On the flip side, with a longer torch setup you can stay away from the power source and still weld.

[Steve_12]

A welder with an implanted pacemaker must use special insulating gloves, not work in a humid environment, and avoid working with currents exceeding 400 A. The ground terminal should be attached to the welding electrode as close to the welding spot as possible.

[EricSamuel]

Years ago I sold a maintenance guy in a factory a Lincoln, Tig 250/250. Every time he started to weld, all the computers in the front office went nuts, started flickering and stuff. They finally figured out this only happened when the welder was being used. The guy had a 25' torch, and had the excess wrapped around an I beam for the building. This was causing a magnetic field, that traveled all trough the building. LOL
Eric Sam I am

[Welder Dave]

Anything with a high frequency you want to lay the cable out on the floor. Worked at a place with a Syncrowave 250 that the meters didn't work. Welder tech. said having the Tig cable partially wrapped on the machine took out the meters. Doesn't matter if there is a table right beside the machine, unwrap all the leads and lay them on the floor (not coiled on the floor either).