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Specifications
Duty Cycle
Duty Cycle is simply the amount of time out of a 10 minute period in which the unit can operate. For example, if this unit has a duty cycle of 15% at
maximum output means that the unit can be operated for 1.5 minutes out of 10 minutes. This means the unit may be operated be continuously, or
intermittently for 1.5 minutes during the 10 minute period of time while the machine is MIG welding at maximum output. This rating standard (United
States) is based on a maximum ambient temperature of 40 C. Operating above this point, or at lower temperatures with high humidity may reduce the
duty cycle rating. Of course, the duty cycle will increase somewhat as ambient temperature drops. Lowering the operating Amperage to just 200A will
see a significant increase in duty cycle up to a commercial class rating of 35%. MIG welding at 160A will increase the duty cycle to a generous and
heavy industrial rating of 60%. Even at 35%, it is rare that manual welding will exceed the duty cycle of the machine, since there is a lot of "in between"
work such as grinding, repositioning, cleaning etc. that is often needed between welds.
Even though the machine has a 100% duty cycle rating level of 130A on this machine, this does not mean that the welder will operate continuously at
this level beyond the 10 minute mark. The 100% rating is, again, a rating based off a defined 10 minute period of time. It's not a "forever" 100% rat-
ing. Depending upon the circumstances, the welder could go into overheat mode at the 11 or 12 minute mark even though it is rated for 100% at 10
minutes.
Regardless of the duty cycle rating, this unit's duty cycle is not controlled by a timer. Rather, this unit is equipped with a heat sensor located on a heat
sink near the critical power components of the welder. If the operating temperature of the unit is exceeded, welding output will stop and an over-
temperature warning light/error code will be displayed on the panel. If a duty cycle event is registered, do not turn the unit off! Allow the welder to
continue to run at idle for at least 10-15 minutes until the temperature has fallen enough to reset the sensor and over-temperature warning light. Even
if the unit resets, allow the unit to cool for a full 15 minutes, or the duty cycle will be more quickly triggered since the unit resets just below the heat
threshold. The fan(s) must continue to run for a full 15 minutes to cool the unit properly after the duty cycle shut down has occurred. After 15 minutes
of cooling, you may switch the unit off if you are finished welding. If the unit does not automatically reset after 15 minutes, turn the unit off. Wait for
15 seconds before turning the machine back on. If the unit does not reset, contact technical support for further advice and assistance. As a best prac-
tice, when you have completed welding and have been welding continuously for extended periods of time, keep your unit on for 10 additional minutes
without welding to allow it to cool.
Keeping the unit clean will help maintain the duty cycle of the welder. Removing the cover and blowing it out with dry compressed air, every 3 to 6
months will help maintain air flow and cooling surfaces and will allow the unit to operate at maximum efficiency.
The intentional and/or repeated triggering of the duty cycle protection feature on this unit will shorten the lifespan of the unit's electronics and can
weaken internal components. The effect of overheating your unit repeatedly takes a cumulative toll on the unit.
NOTICE: These units are tested by an international and independent certifying agency for their ability to sustain the claims of duty cycle, under lab in-
duced conditions which are typically more stringent than average shop conditions.
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