Take care to not obscure the entrance hole for the 120-V supply wires with the ballast. This weld shows a slightly convex appearance, so it passes this portion of the weld test. Although gas metal arc welding (GMAW) with a solid mild steel wire is popular, easy-to-use, and effective for many applications, it does have limitations and drawbacks. Miller respects your privacy concerns. Read our privacy policy for more information. Q: Why are self-shielded T-8 wires so difficult? Fortunately, some inverters popular for construction work, like Miller's XMT® 350 VS, can compensate for voltage spikes and dips. Wiring a direct replacement T8 ballast can be relatively straightforward, although retrofitting another type of fixture, such as T12, may be more challenging. A: Maintain proper stick-out and use the proper gun angle. Check the position of the mounting screw holes of the new ballast against the position of the holes on the old ballast. For good results when welding with AWS E71T-8 flux cored wires, maintain a proper stick-out (3/4 inch) and use the proper gun angle (5 to 10 degrees toward the direction of travel). Point the wire into the leading edge of weld puddle and angle the gun toward the direction of travel by 5 or 10 degrees. With an electric welder, primary power fluctuations can affect weld voltage. A ballast is an electronic device that regulates the current required to illuminate a fluorescent tube. A good way to ensure proper voltage is to use a portable wire feeder with a digital voltage display, such as the SuitCase® X-TREME™ 12VS. When using a flux cored welding gun, this is the distance from the end of the contact tip to the arc.

Learn more about welding product technologies and solutions and which products feature them. Regardless of whether you are wiring a new fixture or retrofitting an older, existing fixture, always make sure there is no voltage present and maintain a safe working environment. Already signed up? Note that analog meters aren't very accurate compared to a digital display, and any readout back at the power source won't be accurate because long cable lengths common in field welding cause voltage drop. If you are unsure about the compatibility of the fixture and your T8 ballast, consult a lighting technician. Thank you for subscribing to our eNewsletters. A: There are lots of contributing factors, but the one I see the most during training is improper electrode stick-out. *Please select at least one e-Newsletter. There should also be a red and blue set of wires on the ballast.

Q: What happens to the weld if the right voltage isn't used? BY AMERICAN WEST COAST LED LLC: This is how to direct wire your T8 tubes and remove the ballast from the fixture. If your wire feeder has a "soft start" or "run-in control," you can use those features to improve arc starts.<-->. Make sure your weld cables are sized properly and that the cable, clamp and all connections are in good condition. T8 ballasts are designed to work together with T8 bulbs, which are commonly found in 4- or 8-foot lengths. If you make a weld outside of that range, the odds of the weld failing inspection are pretty good. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation from these wires' ends, as needed.

When starting, hold the contact tip about the same distance away from the work as when you're welding (which is 3/4 of an inch), pull the gun trigger, wait a second or two for the arc to establish and the weld puddle to form, and then drag the gun forward. Remove the old ballast by backing out the mounting screws holding the ballast in place. These screws may have nuts attached or the screws may be threaded into tapped holes. This program brings together hundreds of instructors who take what they learn and pass it on to thousands of apprentices and journeymen. Other styles of housing may require the removal of one or more small machine screws or hex screws. The exact combination of wires will depend on the type of ballast that was present in the fixture.