What risks do I have running my welder on a non grounded outlet? I have been useing an adaptor, I know thats a no no, but I just got my welder and was too excited. But I know it's is not them best idea........ Anyone know if something bad is going to happen, or is it safe? thanks
Will something bad happen? If I knew the answer to that I would be a rich man, instead of a dumb truck driver. The question you need to ask your self might be.... Do I want to risk "shock theropy". :confused: I think you will be O.K. just dont stand in a puddle will welding! BUT THEN AGAIN I'M JUST A DUMB TRUCK DRIVER..
If it's 110 volts it only hurts alittle while, if it's 220 it hurts alittle while longer. O.K. All joking aside, for your safety you should have the proper ground system connected.
I work on commericial kitchen equipment so I can tell you first hand that grounds are important. I got knocked on my ass once while standing on a wet floor and touched a 240 volt 3 phase disposal. One phase was shorted to the outer case and no ground. As soon as I put my hand on it, I became the ground path. If anything shorts internal on a machine, it usually will go to ground causing a high current condition and tripping the breaker. With no ground, it could just sit there hot, until something or someone provides a path. That being said however, just because you have a ground, dosent meant you cant get shocked. I also got hung on 120 volts once on a properly grounded fryer. Best thing you can do is be safe and dont make an easy path to gound. Wear rubber sole boots, welding gloves, kneel and stand on rubber mats if possible. Thats why the eectricity guys can work on those high voltage lines. they are highly insulated.
ok, thanks guys. Sounds like the best thing to do is to just get is grounded. Hopefully it wont cost a ton :/
Now Dennis my question to you was afterwards did you pull a Bart Simpson and grab it again:confused: and just for frank...:bananaman :bananaman
Dennis... ...I worked for a telephone cable contractor in college. My boss showed me 54 round scars on the bottom of his heels. He was standing in the bed of a line truck when it became grounded against a power line. The juice, probably many volts or amps, came through the nails in his boot heels and burned him on his heels. That happened in the 60's. He claims he was lucky that he wasn't leaning or holding on to anything. The rubber soles kept most of the juice out. Seth
Mav Monster the safest way to use the welder would be to run a dedicated circuit from the main electrical panel in your house useing the ground in the panel to a GFI (Groud Fault Interupter) receptacle. This will give you the best protection against against a short to ground. Electricity is a strange beast not to be taken lightly...I could tell you some stories So unless your into the Don King look...play it safe
hahaha Don King look. yea, I'm gunna take it easy on the welding till I get it grounded, thanks guys!
