Tweco FP-235DC - Manual (Page 9)

ELECTRIC SHOCK CAN BE FATAL. A person qualified in First Aid tech-
niques should ALWAYS be present in the working area. If a person is unconscious and
electric shock is suspected, DO NOT touch the person if he or she is in contact with
cables. Disconnect power from the machine, then use First Aid. Use dry wood or other
insulating materials to move cables, if necessary, away from the person.
1. Never touch or come in physical contact with any part of the input current circuit and welding current circuit.
2. Frequently, check that the input cable and plug are in good condition.
3. Make sure that the welder is disconnected from the main power supply BEFORE attempting any repairs,
opening the side panels of the machine or repairing the input cable.
4. Fit the main line, BEFORE the distribution outlet, with a three-poles switch with adequate delayed fuses
(check the characteristics plate for fuse values).
5. DO NOT weld with cables, torch or earth clamp in poor shape.
6. DO NOT coil the torch or the earth cables around your body.
7. DO NOT aim the welding torch against yourself or against bystanders.
8. Should you feel the slightest electrical shock, STOP welding IMMEDIATELY. DO NOT use the welder
until the fault is found and resolved.
WELDER SPECIFICATIONS
Your new Firepower ARC (SMAW) Welding System is designed for maintenance and sheet metal fabrication.
The unit consists of a single-phase power transformer power source and arc stabilizer. This welding power
source is capable of welding with mild steel electrodes.
This unit is also capable of welding with high carbon steel, special alloy steel, cast iron, and nonferrous, such
as aluminum. The electrode material should correspond with the workpiece metal.
Flux coatings are made for use with either AC (Alternating Current), DC (direct current) reverse polarity, or
DC straight polarity, although some function well on both AC and DC current. Your welder is designed for
using electrodes made for AC.
Please refer to the instructions provided in this manual for proper machine setup.
WELDER OPERATING CHARACTERISTICS
The duty rating defines how long the welding system can be used before it must pause and cool down. Duty
Cycle ratings are expressed as a percentage of a ten-minute period. It represents the maximum welding time
allowed at the specified amperage setting. The remaining balance of a ten-minute period is required for cooling
off the unit.
Firepower 120 volt and 230 volt Welding Systems have duty cycle ratings based on 20 amp and 50 amp input
currents. Please refer to the data plate located on the front of the unit for the specific rating that applies to your
unit.
All Firepower 230 volt Welding Systems are rated at the required input amperage for proper operation. Please
refer to the data plate located on the front of the unit for the specific rating that applies to your unit.
INTERNAL THERMAL OVERLOAD PROTECTION (FP-100 ONLY)
DO NOT constantly exceed the duty cycle or damage could result to your welder.
If you do exceed the duty cycle of your welder, the internal thermal overload protection shuts
off all welder functions except the cooling fan. If this happens, DO NOT SHUT OFF THE
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