Tweco 252i Fabricator - Manual (Page 28)

FABRICATOR 252i INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION 2-4 Manual 0-5155
2.08 Duty Cycle
The rated duty cycle of a Welding Power Source is a statement of the time it may be operated at its rated welding cur-
rent output without exceeding the temperature limits of the insulation of the component parts. To explain the 10 minute
duty cycle period the following example is used. Suppose a Welding Power Source is designed to operate at a 40%
duty cycle, 250 amperes at 26.5 volts. This means that it has been designed and built to provide the rated amperage
(250A) for 4 minutes, i.e. arc welding time, out of every 10 minute period (40% of 10 minutes is 4 minutes). During
the other 6 minutes of the 10 minute period the Welding Power Source must idle and be allowed to cool.
Art # A-10666
Duty Cycle (per
centage)
0 25 50 75
80
100
125 150 225 250
30
50
70
90
40
60
20
10
100
0
Welding Current Max (amps)
STICK (SMAW)
TIG (GTAW)
MIG (GMAW)
175 200
With Factory Fitted Supply Cord and Plug
Safe
Operating
Region
Figure 2-3: Fabricator 252i Duty Cycle with Upgraded Supply Lead and Plug