SMAW Equipment Flashcards
Identify SMAW equipment
1
Q: What is arc blow?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Arc blow occurs when the welding arc flares uncontrollably during DC welding, caused by magnetic fields forming around the work.
2
Q: What is amperage in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Amperage, or the heat setting, refers to the strength of the electrical current, measured in amperes, and determines the metal deposition rate and penetration.
3
Q: What is alternating current (AC)?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: AC is a type of electrical current that flows in one direction during a half cycle and then reverses direction during the next half cycle. It is measured in cycles per second (Hertz), with 60 Hz AC being common in North America.
4
Q: What is metal deposition rate?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Metal deposition rate, also known as burn-off rate, refers to how fast the electrode melts and deposits metal. It increases with higher amperage.
5
Q: What is an arc in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: An arc is formed when sufficient amperage and voltage are available at the electrode tip to overcome the resistance in the air gap between the electrode and the workpiece.
6
Q: What is penetration in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Penetration refers to the depth to which the welding arc melts the base metal. Higher amperage increases penetration, while lower amperage decreases it.
7
Q: Define arc voltage.
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Arc voltage is the voltage output of the welding machine during welding, responsible for maintaining the arc between the electrode and the workpiece.
8
Q: What is a buzz box?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A buzz box is an informal term for AC transformer welding machines, named for the buzzing sound they make during operation.
9
Q: What is a circuit in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A circuit is a system of conductors designed to complete the path of an electric current, allowing current to flow when voltage is applied.
10
Q: What is the core in a welding transformer?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: The core is the magnetic link between the primary and secondary coils of a welding transformer, used to control the welding current by adjusting its position.
11
Q: What is a coil in welding equipment?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A coil is made of insulated copper wire with several turns, used to control the welding current by its proximity to the core in a welding transformer.
12
Q: What is a conductor?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A conductor is a material, usually a metal, capable of transmitting electrical current due to its low resistance to current flow.
13
Q: What does constant current (CC) mean in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Constant current refers to a welding machine that provides a stable current, typically used for SMAW and GTAW, with a steep volt-amp curve.
14
Q: What is constant voltage (CV)?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Constant voltage refers to a welding machine designed to maintain a stable voltage regardless of amperage changes, commonly used for wire-feed welding processes.
15
Q: What is current flow in welding?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Current flow is the movement of electrons through a circuit, measured in amperes, and it determines the welding heat and metal deposition.
16
Q: What is a cycle in alternating current (AC)?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A cycle is a complete rotation of the AC sine wave, beginning at zero, peaking at maximum positive and negative values, and returning to zero. In 60 Hz AC, this happens 60 times per second.
17
Q: What is a diode in welding machines?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: A diode is an electrical component that allows current to flow in one direction only, used in welding machines to convert AC to DC.
18
Q: What is direct current (DC)?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: DC is an electric current that flows in one direction only, used in welding for consistent and stable arcs without the directional changes of AC.
19
Q: What is duty cycle in welding machines?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: Duty cycle refers to the amount of time, expressed as a percentage, that a welding machine can operate at its maximum output before needing to cool down, based on a 10-minute period.
20
Q: What is an electron in electrical theory?
Objective 1: Define SMAW related terms
A: An electron is a negatively charged particle that moves through a conductor, creating electric current when a voltage is applied.