MIG Welding - Setting Inductance

Some MIG welders have an adjustable weld-inductance setting. But many MIG welding machines
have this setting fixed; meaning the MIG welding inductance is preset to a level that works for
most everyday applications. The inductance setting on a MIG welder controls the rate of current
rise following the short circuit state. That is during the time when the wire is short circuiting into
the weld puddle. This setting affects the arc time too. That is the amount of time the short circuit
cycle spends arcing and providing heat to the puddle.

That is why adjusting the inductance makes the arc sound entirely different. It has a similar effect
as setting frequency on a TIG welder while TIG welding on AC. A high inductance setting
increases the time of each individual arc cycle and therefore can improve wetting of the puddle. A
low inductance increases the frequency of each short circuit/arc cycle and can be useful for
pinpointing a narrow bead in some joints. What this means to most folks is high inductance is good
for thicker metals where good wetting at the toes of the weld is a priority and low inductance works
better on thin metal.

Another thing about being able to set MIG inductance is that straight CO2 can work nearly as well
as C25 (75/25 Ar/ CO2). Generally CO2 is cheaper than argon/CO2 mixes so for some businesses,
being able to use straight CO2 instead of C25 can translate into quite a savings over time.
But it is never quite as simple as just setting inductance to achieve a good arc. Wire feed speed, wire
diameter, wire type, and shielding gas have a big effect as well. But once you have all those dialed
in, MIG inductance setting is one more tool to help you out.

The bottom line is that every welding machine requires a bit of trial and error in order to optimize
the settings to the point where you get minimal spatter along with appropriate penetration for the
weld being done.

I recommend to get some metal of different thicknesses ranging from really thin to really thick and
adjust voltage, wire speed, and inductance on each until you get a near optimum arc then write it
down either on the inside panel of your MIG welder, in a notebook, on your smart phone, or any
other way that will keep you from having to find new settings for every job that comes into the
shop.

What does inductance do?

Frequently Asked Questions

When MIG welding in the dip transfer mode, the welding electrode touches the weld pool, causing a short circuit.

During the short circuit, the arc voltage drops to nearly zero. This change in the arc voltage results in a corresponding

change in the welding curcuit current, the precise magnitude of which depends on the slope of the output
characteristic (the resistance of the welding circuit), Fig. 1.

If the constant voltage power supply responded instantly, very high current would immediately begin to flow through

the welding circuit. The rapid rise in current to a high value would melt the short-circuited electrode free with
explosive force, dispelling the weld metal and causing considerable spatter.
Inductance is the property in an electrical circuit that slows down the rate of current rise, Fig. 2. The current travelling

through an inductance coil creates a magnetic field. This magnetic field creates a current in the welding circuit that is

in opposition to the welding current. Increasing the inductance will also increase the arc time and decrease the
frequency of short-circuiting.

For each electrode feed rate, there is an optimum value of inductance. Too little inductance results in excessive

spatter. If too much inductance is used, the current will not rise fast enough and the molten tip of the electrode is not

heated sufficiently causing the electrode to stub into the base metal. Modern electronic power sources automatically
set the inductance to give a smooth arc and metal transfer.
NDUCTANCE
Power sources do not respond instantly to load changes. The current takes a finite time to attain a newlevel. Inductance in the circuit is
responsible for this time lag. The effect of inductance can be illustrated byanalyzing the curve appearing in Figure 3-5. Curve A shows a
typical current-time curve with inductance pre-sent as the current rises from zero to a final value. Curve B shows the path which the
current would havetaken if there were no inductance in the circuit. The maximum amount of current attainable during a short
isdetermined by the slope of the power source. Inductance controls the rate of rise of short circuit current. Therate can be slowed so
that the short may clear with minimum spatter. The inductance also stores energy. Itsupplies this energy to the arc after the short has
cleared and causes a longer arc.In ”short arc” welding, an increase in inductance increases the ”arc on” time. This, in turn, makes the
puddlemore fluid, resulting in a flatter, smoother weld bead. The opposite is true when the inductance isdecreased. Figure 3-6 shows
the influence of inductance on the appearance of ”short-arc” welds made bothwith an argon-oxygen gas mixture and with a helium-
argon-carbon dioxide mixture. Weld No. 1, made with amixture of 98% argon and 2% oxygen shielding gas and no added inductance, is
rolled or peaked as seen inthe top cross-section. Midway along the sample, inductance of about 500 micro-henries was added.
Freezelines are not as prominent, and the bead remains convex. Weld No. 2, made with the He-Ar-Co mixture is also convex. Spatter
2

on the plate is considerable. Wheninductance is introduced midway through the sample, the reduction in spatter is dramatic; the
beadbecomes flat and the cross-section on the bottom right shows penetration of the weld bead into theworkpiece has increased.In
spray arc welding, the addition of some inductance to the power source will produce a better arc start. Toomuch inductance will result in
erratic starting.When conditions of both correct shorting current and correct rate of current rise exist, spatter is minimal.The power
source adjustments required for minimum spatter conditions vary with the electrode material andsize. As a general rule, both the
amount of short circuit current and the amount of inductance needed forideal operation are increased as the electrode diameter is
increased.