Thread: Arc burn with DC?

I'm not aware of any significant difference in arc UV radiation between AC or DC MMA, both will burn you. There is nothing wrong with the older flip type helmets providing you remember to flip it down prior to arcing up, but you can now buy auto darkening helmets for less that $100 from places like Glenfords and Bunnings.

What does concern me however is the idea that you would even think about considering the possibility of wearing shorts whilst welding. Apart from the UV danger (which generally takes at least a couple of years before they start hacking out the melanomas) there is the very real danger of spatter burns, not to mention the possibility that you could inadvertantly start a fire adjacent to your work area and then find out that firefighters don't wear wifebeaters and stubbies for a reason.

Mate, instead of worrying how much UV is being pumped out by your machine, just assume it's a lethal dose and wear coveralls.

I can't say there's much difference in UV emissions between the different MMA modes, but there sure as hell is between the different processes,i.e. stick ,mig,tig

It is to do with the size of the electrode/wire/tungsten and the amperage density upon the cross sectional area of the electrode.

UV emissions increase exponentially as amps get higher and the cross sectional becomes smaller.

Example is:
Stick on 130 amps might take all day to give you an big day at the beach type UV burn.
Mig on similar amps- couple of hours.
Tig on similar amps - half hour



Having said that ,there is still every reason to use appropriate PPE for the MMA welding task.

I know it gets hot in summer but wearing shorts in summer can lead to really nasty outcomes ,say if one goes commando.

When it gets sticky up this way I would don a long apron if I really,really had to wear shorts.

I am more careful as I get older.My skin seems to be less tougher than it once was.

Don't forget fumes either,a small fan behind you solves lots of problems.

Cheers Grahame

5 minutes of tig at 40A will give me a sunburn type rayburn. I wear shorts in summer but throw an apron on when welding, sometimes though its a bit of 'my aprons over there and I just have a couple of welds to do.....

Kinda like the guys you see tigging without gloves on. Deathwish......

I always wonder when you see blokes on those custom hotrod and motorbike shows on the idiot box tig welding in singlets?
I remember doing "just a quick tig weld" with my sleeves rolled up and no gloves.
Less than 5 minutes at 70A and later that night my inside forarms were red raw and hurt like buggery, I learned my lesson that day, but on telly you see the same blokes welding in singlets time and time again I don't get it ????