• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

WeldingPick

All About Welding Stuff

  • Brands
    • Top 3 Best Dekopro Welding Helmet 2022 Review
    • Top 5 Best Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets under $200
    • Top 6 Best Antra Welding Helmet Reviews (2022)
    • Top 6 Best YESWELDER Welding Helmets Review
    • Top 7 Best Miller Welding Helmet Review 2022
  • Reviews
    • Lotos ltp5000d Red vs Brown Plazma Cutter -Detailed Review
    • CNC Plasma Cutter, Hero Cut HC7000 220v 70Amps Review 2022
    • DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder,160A ARC Welder Machine Review
    • Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Plasma Cutter Review
    • Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Welding Helmet
    • Review: Lotos CT520D 50 AMP Air Plasma Cutter, Tig & Stick
    • Review: Hobart 500576 AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter
    • Mophorn 50 Amp Plasma Cutter Dual Voltage Plasma Cutting Machine
    • Plasma Cutter, CUT50 50 Amp 110V/220V Cutting Machine Review
    • PrimeWeld 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter Portable Review
    • Review: Hobart 500566 Airforce 40i Plasma Cutter 240V
  • Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

What Is The Duty Cycle In Welding?

by Hassan786

You often come across the term Duty Cycle when you deal with the electronics equipment and as well as in welding.

There are many terms in welding which are usually unknown to the common people, and they every so often get confused between them.

Duty Cycle is one such term, but it has its own importance in analyzing the product’s efficiency and quality. A slight change in the duty cycle heavily influences the total performance of the device.

If you are confused with the term or have just started learning to weld, this article is going to be very helpful for you as we have described the duty cycle and its role in the simplest possible way.

By reading this article you will get the required knowledge of the term and you will be able to perform well in the welding field.

Duty Cycle

So what exactly is a Duty Cycle? In general terms, the Duty Cycle is defined as the percentage of the time the circuit is on over a certain period. It is commonly denoted as D and is also known as Duty Factor.

The basic concept of the Duty Cycle remains the same; however, the definition slightly changes accordingly as per the equipment and use.

For example, the Duty Cycle of motor and Duty Cycle of ultrasound will have different meanings and calculating formulas.

What Is The Duty Cycle In Welding

Duty Cycle in Welding

In the case of welding, we can define the Duty Cycle as the time percentage at which the machine can operate or weld at its best at the given power supply for a certain period of time.

When you go for buying a welding machine and equipment, you may have seen in the products specification section written that its duty cycle is 300 Amps @ 50%. It simply means that the product can operate 50 percent of the time at its best if the current supply is 300 Amps.

The duty cycle of welding machines typically calculated for a time period of 10 minutes. So if a device operates at 300 Amps @ 50%, the 50 percent of 10 minutes will be minutes, which means that this particular welding machine will work safely for 5 minutes, and for further five minutes, it will switch to cool-down mode.

The excellent quality welding machines come with an integrated thermal overload protection system, and it ensures that the machines stop working once the temperature limits cross, and it begins the cooling process.

As the temperature comes in the safe range, it restarts the process again until switched off. If your machine does not have an automatic cooling feature, you really need to take note of the duty cycle and make sure that it does not overheat, catches fire, or become failed to operate.

What Causes The Change In Duty Cycle?

The rate of the duty cycle depends on the current power source. The higher the rate of current, the more it heats up, so we can say that it is inversely proportional to the rate of supplying current. If we lower the current amperes, the duty cycle rate will increase.

The other factor that helps in determining the duty cycle is the specific temperature at which the duty cycle is calculated. Welding at lower temperatures increases the rate of duty cycles.

International Electrotechnical Commission – IEC is the European Standard body that is accepted in most parts of the world to determine the duty cycle of the welding machines and products. It computes the duty cycle on the basis of the real-world situation and environment.

Assessing the Performance On The Basis Of Duty Cycle

Duty Cycle is not the only factor but is one of the key factors in determining the quality and performance of the welding machine.

It also depends on the type of welding process; for example, when you are working with the MIG welding technique, Duty Cycle is essential to note as it is automatic and does not require manual operations.

In the case of the Stick welding method, the duty cycle is not that much important as it includes manual operations such as changing the electrodes.

Similarly, in a situation where you are required to work for a more extended period of time or to work on a bigger project, you will prefer a welding machine with a high duty cycle so that it can work in the best conditions for most of the time and does not need frequent cooling.

What Percentage Is Rated As Good?

So how much duty cycle is rated as good or useful? Again it relies on the condition and the welding technique you are using.

If you weld as a hobby at home, a 20 to 30% duty cycle is good, but for a professional and where you need to work longer, you need a high rate of the duty cycle.

For automatic welding processes such as MIG/MAG Welding, a 90% duty cycle can also be is rated as acceptable and good.

By now, you have sufficient knowledge about the term “Duty Cycle” and what role it plays in welding; most of the time, the duty cycle is mentioned in the specs section of the product.

It will help you in purchasing the appropriate welding machine as per your need and requirement. Besides, it is also very important to know about the duty cycle for your safety as it helps you in dodging the hazardous welding incidents that otherwise may cause harm to you.

ARC WELDING VS GAS WELDING

Arc welding vs gas welding

ULTRASONIC WELDING VS HEAT STAKING

Ultrasonic welding vs heat staking

AUTO DARKENING WELDING HELMET VS PASSIVE

Auto darkening welding helmet vs passive

WELDING OXYGEN VS MEDICAL OXYGEN

Welding oxygen vs medical oxygen

WELDING ROD 6011 VS 6013

Welding Rod 6011 Vs 6013

PLASMA WELDING VS TIG WELDING

Plasma Welding Vs Tig Welding

What Causes Undercut In Welding?

What Causes Undercut In Welding?

Why Is Underwater Welding So Dangerous?

Why Is Underwater Welding So Dangerous?

How To Build Welding Lead Reels

How To Build Welding Lead Reels?

How To Do Oxy Acetylene Welding

How To Do Oxy Acetylene Welding?

How Does Ultrasonic Welding Work

How Does Ultrasonic Welding Work?

Why Are Welding Carts Angled

Why Are Welding Carts Angled?

How To Install Patch Panels Without Welding

How To Install Patch Panels Without Welding?

How Long Does It Take To Get A Welding Certification

How Long Does It Take To Get A Welding Certification?

HOW DOES UNDERWATER WELDING WORK

How Does Underwater Welding Work?

What Is The Duty Cycle In Welding

What Is The Duty Cycle In Welding?

What Are The Different Types Of Welding

What Are The Different Types Of Welding?

HOW TO REPLACE ROCKER PANELS WITHOUT WELDING

How to replace rocker panels without welding

HOW TO WELD STAINLESS STEEL STICK

How to weld stainless steel stick

How To Repair Wrought Iron Without Welding

How To Repair Wrought Iron Without Welding

HOW TO BUILD A UTILITY TRAILER WITHOUT WELDING 

How to build a utility trailer without welding

ARC WELDING FOR BEGINNERS

Arc welding for beginners

HOW TO BUILD A PLASMA CUTTER

How to build a plasma cutter

HOW TO GET A WELDING APPRENTICESHIP

How To Get A Welding Apprenticeship

HOW TO WELD CAST IRON WITH A MIG WELDER

How to weld cast iron with a Mig Welder

HOW TO WELD CAST IRON WITH A MIG WELDER

How to fix exhaust pipe without welding

Best Lincoln Welding Helmet Reviews

Top 6 Best Lincoln Welding Helmet Reviews 2022

Best Propane Torches

Top 10 Best Propane Torches 2022 (Updated)

10 BEST ANGLE GRINDERS

Top 10 Best Angle Grinders 2022 Reviews (Updated)

Best Butane Torch for Soldering & Welding

Best Butane Torch for Soldering & Welding

Best Welders for Aluminum

Top 7 Best Welders for Aluminum (Tig & Mig) 2022 Updated

Best Chipping and Slag Hammers for Welding

Best Chipping and Slag Hammers for Welding

Best MIG Welders under $1000

The 10 Best MIG Welders under $1000

Anti Spatter Welding Sprays

Top 10 Best Anti Spatter Welding Sprays 2022

Best 110V Welders

Top 10 Best 110V Welders -(Mig , Tig, Stick) Review 2022

Best plasma cutters under $1000

Best Plasma Cutters Under $1000

Best Flux Core Wire

Top 10 Best Flux Core Wire 2022 Reviews & Buying Guide

Best Engine Driven Welder Generators 2020

Best Engine Driven Welder Generators 2022

CNC Plasma Cutter, HeroCut HC7000 220v 70Amps Non-HF Blowback Pilot Arc Non-Touch Arc Starting Inverter 50/60Hz Clean Cut 3/4'', Easy Work With CNC table. (HC7000 220V)

CNC Plasma Cutter, Hero Cut HC7000 220v 70Amps Review 2022

DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder,160A ARC Welder Machine IGBT Digital Display LCD Hot Start Welder with Electrode Holder, Work Clamp, Input Power Adapter Cable and Brush

DEKOPRO 110/220V MMA Welder,160A ARC Welder Machine Review

Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Building America Edition Hand Plasma System with Case and 15-Feet Lead

Hypertherm 088079 Powermax30 XP Plasma Cutter Review

PrimeWeld 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter, Portable Plasma Cutting Machine, Premium, and Rugged Plasma Cutter Kit, Automatic Dual Voltage 110V/220V AC with Plasma Torch, 1/2" Clean Cut, CUT50D

PrimeWeld 50A Air Inverter Plasma Cutter Portable Review

Mophorn 50 Amp Plasma Cutter Dual Voltage Plasma Cutting Machine Cutting Thickness Portable Plasma Welder IGBT Inverter

Mophorn 50 Amp Plasma Cutter Dual Voltage Plasma Cutting Machine

Hobart 500576 AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter

Review: Hobart 500576 AirForce 40i Plasma Cutter

Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Welding Helmet

Lincoln Electric K3034-4 VIKING 3350 Welding Helmet

Hobart 500566 Airforce 40i Plasma Cutter 240V

Review: Hobart 500566 Airforce 40i Plasma Cutter 240V

Lotos LTP5000D 50Amp Non-Touch Pilot Arc Plasma Cutter

Lotos ltp5000d Red vs Brown Plazma Cutter -Detailed Review

Top 6 YESWELDER Welding Helmets

Top 6 Best YESWELDER Welding Helmets Review

Dekopro Welding Helmet 2020

Top 3 Best Dekopro Welding Helmet 2022 Review

Top 5 Best Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets under $200

Top 5 Best Auto-Darkening Welding Helmets under $200

Copyright @2020 -Weldingpick.com All Right Reserved