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E-7

THEORY OF OPERATION

E-7

 

 

 

 

 

CHOPPER TECHNOLOGY

 

 

FUNDAMENTALS

 

 

 

The new era of welding machines such as the

Hence the name “Chopper.” The biggest advantage®

Vantage® 500, employ a technology whereby a DC

of chopper technology is the high-speed control of the

source is turned on and off (chopped up) at high speed,

arc, similar to the inverter machines. A block diagram

then smoothed through an inductor to control an arc.

for this is as follows:

 

EXTERNAL

 

SOLID STATE

 

INDUCTOR

 

ARC

DC SOURCE

 

SWITCH

 

AND DIODE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ARC

CONTROL

In this system, the engine drives a three-phase alter-

turning the switch on and off, current in the inductor

nator, which generates power that is rectified and

and the arc can be controlled. The following diagram

filtered to produce about 75VDC. The current

is

depicts the current flow in the system when the switch

applied through a solid state switch to an inductor.

By

is open and closed.

 

INDUCTOR

 

SWITCH

70-80VDC

ARC

DIODE

 

 

CURRENT WITH SWITCH OPEN

 

CURRENT WITH SWITCH CLOSED

When the switch is closed, current is applied through

varying the ratio of on time versus off time of the switch

the inductor to the arc. When the switch opens, current

(Duty Cycle),

the current applied to the arc is con-

stored in the inductor sustains flow in the arc and

trolled. This

is the basis for Chopper Technology:

through the diode. The repetition rate of switch closure

Controlling the switch in such a way as to produce

is 20Khz, which allows ultra-fast control of the arc. By

superior welding.

VANTAGE® 400

Page 47
Image 47
Lincoln Electric 400 service manual Chopper Technology Fundamentals

400 specifications

The Lincoln Electric 400 is a state-of-the-art multi-process welding machine designed to meet the demands of today’s industrial welding applications. Renowned for its reliability and versatility, this welder is a preferred choice among professionals in fabrication, construction, and maintenance industries.

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The welding machine boasts a robust power output, with a maximum range of 400 amps. This impressive capacity enables it to handle thick materials effectively, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks. The machine operates on both single-phase and three-phase power, giving users the advantage of versatility depending on the power source available at the job site.

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In conclusion, the Lincoln Electric 400 stands out in the welding equipment market due to its multi-process capabilities, impressive power output, user-friendly interface, durability, and portability. It is engineered to exceed the expectations of professional welders, providing them with the tools needed for high-quality results across a variety of applications.