Power quality analysis of gas metal ARC welding process operating under different drop transfer modes

This work deals with power quality analyses related to the effect of different drop transfer modes in Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes. The different drop transfer modes of GMAW process could be classified into: short-circuiting, globular, spray and pulsed. The correct choice of GMAW parameters is essential for optimal performance of the welding process. On the other hand, optimal parameters (from the point of view of the welding process) can lead to different power quality problems on the AC side of the local electric utility, according to the desirable transfer mode. In this sense, some power quality analysis based on metering results related to voltage fluctuations, harmonics and interharmonics will be presented to investigate the relationship between power quality problems and GMAW process operating under different drop transfer modes.