Operation; Product Description; Recommended Processes And Equipment; Welding Capability - Lincoln Electric IDEALARC SP-255 Operator's Manual

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PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The SP-255 is a complete semiautomatic constant
voltage DC arc welding machine built to meet NEMA
specifications. It combines a constant voltage power
source and a constant speed wire feeder with a micro-
computer-based controller. This forms an intelligent
welding system that really puts the automatic in semi-
automatic. A touch key entry system with audible
feedback, along with a two-line, 32 character alphanu-
meric display provide user friendly control of the sys-
tem.
Multilingual display capability allows the SP-255 to
communicate with the user in any of the following lan-
guages: English, German, French, Spanish, or
Japanese (Katakana).
RECOMMENDED PROCESSES AND
EQUIPMENT
The SP-255 is recommended for GMA welding
processes using 10 to 44 lb. (4.5 to 20 kg) 2" (51 mm)
I.D. spools or Readi-Reel
(0.6-1.2 mm) solid steel using CO
shielding gas, .035" (0.9 mm) stainless steel using
ArO or HeArCO shielding gas, 3/64" (1.2 mm) alu-
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minum using Ar shielding gas, and .045" (1.2 mm)
®
Outershield electrodes using CO
gas, as well as .035" (0.9 mm) and .045" (1.2 mm)
®
Innershield self-shielded electrodes.
The SP-255 is factory equipped to feed .035" (0.9
mm) and .045" (1.2 mm) electrodes and includes a
200A, 60% duty cycle rated, 12.5 ft. (3.8 m) GMA gun
and cable assembly equipped for these wire sizes.
The SP-255 is factory equipped with an adjustable
CO and Argon blend flow regulator. A supply of
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shielding gas is required for GMAW processes.

WELDING CAPABILITY

The SP-255 is rated at 250 amps @ 26 volts at a 35%
duty cycle on a ten minute basis. It is capable of high-
er duty cycles at lower output currents.

LIMITATIONS

The SP-255 may not operate as designed if powered
with a portable or in-plant generator.
IDEALARC SP-255

OPERATION

®
coils of .025 through .045
, ArCO , or ArO
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or ArCO shielding
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DESCRIPTION OF CONTROLS AND
KEYS
POWER SWITCH
Place the lever in the "ON" position to turn the SP-255
on. When the power is on, the red LED backlighting of
the LCD display will be lit, and the screen will contain
a readable display. The welding setup present when
the power was shut off or disconnected will be
restored when the power is restored.
SETUP KEYS
DISPLAY LANGUAGE SELECTION
The SP-255 has multilingual display capability permit-
ting the SP-255 prompts, messages, and other display
information to be in any of five languages: English,
German, French, Spanish, and Japanese (Katakana).
The user may select the chosen language by simulta-
neously pressing the PROCESS Key and the appro-
priate Number Key per the instructions given in the
appropriate language on the Keypad Instruction Decal
inside the SP-255 door, also shown below:
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ARROW KEYS
There are three pairs of arrow keys: left, center, and
right. The up arrow keys increase the selection dis-
played directly above them. The down arrow keys
decrease the selection displayed directly above them.
All of the arrow keys have a repeat function when they