Power supply for A-C arc welding

THE rapid growth of a-c arc welding in the last ten years has resulted in a-c welding becoming a large fraction of all arc welding rather than a negligible proportion. As power loads due to a-c arc welding become larger, questions arise in the minds of users and power-supply authorities about power requirements of a-c welders and the effect of a-c welders on power circuits. In some instances arc welding has been confused with resistance welding, although the two are entirely different from the standpoint of power supply. This paper presents data useful for determining the effects of a-c arc-welding loads on electric power circuits.