Electrical Connections; Machine Grounding; Welding Terminals; Welding Output Cables - Lincoln Electric VANTAGE 400 Service Manual

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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS

MACHINE GROUNDING

Because this portable engine driven welder creates its
own power, it is not necessary to connect its frame to
an earth ground, unless the machine is connected to
premises wiring (home, shop, etc.)
To prevent dangerous electric shock, other equipment
to which this engine driven welder supplies power
must:
WARNING
• Be grounded to the frame of the welder using a
grounded type plug or be double insulated.
• Do not ground the machine to a pipe that carries
explosive or combustible material.
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When this welder is mounted on a truck or trailer, its
frame must be electrically bonded to the metal frame of
the vehicle. Use a #8 or larger copper wire connected
between the machine grounding stud and the frame of
the vehicle. When this engine driven welder is con-
nected to premises wiring such as that in a home or
shop, its frame must be connected to the system earth
ground. See further connection instructions in the sec-
tion entitled Standby Power Connections as well as
the article on grounding in the latest National Electrical
Code and the local code.
In general, if the machine is to be grounded, it should
be connected with a #8 or larger copper wire to a solid
earth ground such as a metal water pipe going into the
ground for at least ten feet and having no insulated
joints, or to the metal framework of a building which
has been effectively grounded.
The National Electrical Code lists a number of alter-
nate means of grounding electrical equipment. A
machine grounding stud marked with the symbol
is provided on the front of the welder.

WELDING TERMINALS

The VANTAGE® 400 is equipped with a toggle switch
for selecting "hot" welding terminal when in the "WELD
TERMINALS ON" position or "cold" welding terminal
when in the "REMOTELY CONTROLLED" position.
INSTALLATION

WELDING OUTPUT CABLES

With the engine off connect the electrode and work
cables to the output studs. The welding process dic-
tates the polarity of the electrode cable. These con-
nections should be checked periodically and tightened
with a 3/4" wrench.
Table A.1 lists recommended cable sizes and lengths
for rated current and duty cycle. Length refers to the
distance from the welder to the work and back to the
welder. Cable diameters are increased for long cable
lengths to reduce voltage drops.
TOTAL COMBINED LENGTH OF
ELECTRODE AND WORK CABLES
Cable Length
0-100 Ft. (0-30 meters)
100-150 Ft. (30-46 meters)
150-200 Ft. (46-61 meters)

CABLE INSTALLATION

Install the welding cables to your VANTAGE® 400 as
follows.
1. The engine must be OFF to install welding cables.
2. Remove the flanged nuts from the output terminals
.
3. Connect the electrode holder and work cables to the
weld output terminals. The terminals are identified
on the case front.
4. Tighten the flanged nuts securely.
5. Be certain that the metal piece you are welding (the
"work") is properly connected to the work clamp and
cable.
6. Check and tighten the connections periodically.
• Loose connections will cause the output termi-
nals to overheat. The terminals may eventually
melt.
• Do not cross the welding cables at the output ter-
minal connection. Keep the cables isolated and
separate from one another.
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VANTAGE® 400
TABLE A.1
Cable Size for
400 Amps
60% Duty Cycle
2 / 0 AWG
2 / 0 AWG
3 / 0 AWG
CAUTION
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