Lincoln Electric R350 manual Recommended Work Cable Sizes for ARC Welding

A-6 INSTALLATION A-6

RECOMMENDED WORK CABLE SIZES FOR ARC WELDING

Connect the electrode and work cables between the appropriate output studs of the POWER WAVE R350 per the following guidelines:

•Most welding applications run with the electrode being positive (+). For those applications, connect the electrode cable between the wire drive feed plate and the positive (+) output stud on the power source. Connect a work lead from the negative (-) power source output stud to the work piece

•When negative electrode polarity is required, such as in some Innershield applications, reverse the out- put connections at the power source (electrode cable to the negative (-) stud, and work cable to the posi- tive (+) stud).

CAUTION

Negative electrode polarity operation WITHOUT use of a remote work sense lead (21) requires the Negative Electrode Polarity attribute to be set. See the Remote Sense Lead Specification section of this document for further details.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

For additional Safety information regarding the elec- trode and work cable set-up, See the standard “SAFETY INFORMATION” located in the front of this Instruction Manual.

General Guidelines

•Select the appropriate size cables per the “Output Cable Guidelines” below. Excessive volt- age drops caused by undersized welding cables and poor connections often result in unsatisfactory weld- ing performance. Always use the largest welding cables (electrode and work) that are practical, and be sure all connections are clean and tight.

Note: Excessive heat in the weld circuit indicates undersized cables and/or bad connections.

•Route all cables directly to the work and wire feeder, avoid excessive lengths and do not coil excess cable. Route the electrode and work cables in close proximity to one another to minimize the loop area and therefore the inductance of the weld circuit.

•Always weld in a direction away from the work (ground) connection.

Table A.1 shows copper cable sizes recommended for different currents and duty cycles. Lengths stipulated are the distance from the welder to work and back to the welder again. Cable sizes are increased for greater lengths primarily for the purpose of minimizing cable drop.

OUTPUT CABLE GUIDELINES (Table A.1)

Amperes	Percent Duty	CABLE SIZES FOR COMBINED LENGTHS OF ELECTRODE AND WORK
	Cycle	CABLES [RUBBER COVERED COPPER - RATED 167°F (75°C)]**
200	60	0 to 50 Ft.	50 to 100 Ft.	100 to 150 Ft.	150 to 200 Ft.	200 to 250 Ft.
		2	2	2	1	1/0
200	100	2	2	2	1	1/0
250	30	3	3	2	1	1/0
250	40	2	2	1	1	1/0
250	60	1	1	1	1	1/0
250	100	1	1	1	1	1/0
300	60	1	1	1	1/0	2/0
300	100	2/0	2/0	2/0	2/0	3/0
350	40	1/0	1/0	2/0	2/0	3/0

**Tabled values are for operation at ambient temperatures of 104°F (40°C) and below. Applications above 104°F (40°C) may require cables larger than recommended, or cables rated higher than 167°F (75°C).

POWER WAVE® R350