Miller Electric 185 Electrode and Amperage Selection Chart, Striking an Arc − Tapping Technique

13-2. Electrode and Amperage Selection Chart

ELECTRODE

DIAMETER

AMPERAGE RANGE

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

450

ELECTRODE

DC*

AC

POSITION

PENETRATION

USAGE

6011

7/32

3/32

6010

1/8

5/32

&

3/16

1/4

6010

EP

ALL

DEEP

MIN. PREP, ROUGH

1/16

6011

EP

ALL

DEEP

HIGH SPATTER

5/64

6013

EP,EN

ALL

LOW

GENERAL

3/32

6013

1/8

7014

EP,EN

ALL

MED

SMOOTH, EASY,

5/32

FAST

3/16

7018

EP

ALL

LOW

LOW HYDROGEN,

7/32

STRONG

1/4

FLAT

SMOOTH, EASY,

3/32

7024

EP,EN

HORIZ

LOW

FASTER

FILLET

1/8

NI-CL

EP

ALL

LOW

CAST IRON

7014

5/32

308L

EP

ALL

LOW

STAINLESS

3/16

7/32

*EP = ELECTRODE POSITIVE (REVERSE POLARITY)

1/4

EN = ELECTRODE NEGATIVE (STRAIGHT POLARITY)

3/32

1/8

7018

5/32

3/16

7/32

1/4

3/32

1/8

7024

5/32

3/16

7/32

1/4

3/32

Ni-Cl

1/8

5/32

3/16

3/32

308L

1/8

5/32

Ref. S-087 985-A

13-3. Striking an Arc − Scratch Start Technique

1	1	Electrode
	2	Workpiece
	3	Arc
	Drag electrode across workpiece
2	like striking a match; lift electrode
	slightly after touching work. If arc
	goes out electrode was lifted to
	high. If electrode sticks to work-
3	piece, use a quick twist to free it.
		S-0049

13-4. Striking an Arc − Tapping Technique

1	1	Electrode
	2	Workpiece
	3	Arc
	Bring electrode straight down to
2	workpiece; then lift slightly to start
	arc. If arc goes out, electrode was
	lifted too high. If electrode sticks to
	workpiece, use a quick twist to free it.
3
		S-0050

OM-4415 Page 44