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If you're looking to invest in a new TIG welder, then you need to find a piece of equipment that can work on all your jobs. You don't just need to find one that works with your materials or projects, you also need to choose one with the right duty cycle.

What is a welder's duty cycle and how can you choose the right one?

What Is a Duty Cycle?

TIG welders don't work indefinitely. They all have a period when they are fed a current so that they can weld at a certain temperature using a certain voltage.

Once this period is done, the welder goes into a thermal overload state. It needs to cool down and reset. You can't use it during this time but will have to wait for it to get ready again.

This is its duty cycle. It is an important automatic safety mechanism that prevents welders from overheating.

Typically, a duty cycle is a percentage based on a period that lasts 10 minutes. So, if a welder has a 30% cycle, then you can use it to weld continuously for 3 minutes under maximum operating conditions. It then needs 7 minutes to cool down and get ready for use again.

Sometimes, however, welders can work for longer than their specified cycle. For example, if you are working at a lower current than the maximum allowed, then you may get more time before the welder needs to shut down and cool off.

How Can You Choose the Right Duty Cycle?

The types of jobs you'll use the welder on are a good first measure when it comes to choosing a duty cycle. Many TIG welding jobs involve working with thinner materials and smaller welds.

These jobs don't always need a high current level all of the time. Plus, your welder won't always be on continuously during a job. TIG welding's manual feed technique usually means that a welder goes on and off which helps keep it cooler.

If you don't have intensive needs, then a cycle that matches the parameters of an average job might be good enough. For example, if your average weld time lasts for a couple of minutes, then a 30% cycle might be more than enough for your needs. However, if you'll work on projects that take longer or that require a continuous weld, then a higher duty cycle may be a better bet.

For more advice on choosing a TIG welder with the right duty cycle, contact your welding equipment supplier and ask for advice.