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Foot pedals and hand-held amperage controls that plug into a compatible TIG machine, and how to get the best from them.
On a TIG foot pedal, pressing down raises the welding current. Pressing it fully down gives the maximum current that has been set, and lifting your foot right off ends the weld and starts the post-flow gas cycle.In between, you are feathering the current, for example to build heat as you start and to ease off at the end of a run. Always check the machine's manual to see exactly how your pedal behaves, because start and finish settings differ from machine to machine.
Not necessarily. With a pedal, the machine sets the ceiling and the pedal varies the output below it, so pressing fully down gives the maximum you have set and no more.Some pedals also have a knob that caps the output further, so at half setting full pedal travel only gives about half of the machine's maximum. Check the current set on the machine panel and any limit knob on the pedal before suspecting a fault. If both are right and the current still does not follow your foot, check the lead, plug and the machine's manual.
Usually yes. Most TIG machines need to be set to take their current (and often their output on and off) from a remote control. Depending on the machine this is a panel switch, a menu setting or a button sequence.If the pedal is plugged in but the machine ignores it, or the arc will not start, check that the remote or contactor setting is selected before blaming the pedal. If you are not using a remote, the setting often needs to go back to the normal position. Your machine's manual will show the exact steps.
Switch the machine off at the power source before changing the tungsten electrode or the gas cup. Pedals and torch switches can start the arc, and on a machine with high-frequency start that means a high-voltage pulse at the torch, so an accidental press is a real hazard.Keep your foot clear of the pedal while you work at the torch. Damaged torches or leads, such as ones repaired with insulating tape, are a risk, so replace them. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and your own risk assessment.
Before each session, look along the whole lead for cuts, abrasions, kinks or exposed wire, and check the plug for bent or loose pins, cracks and a loose cable clamp. Look over the pedal or hand control housing as well, including the pedal's moving parts.Do not use a damaged lead or plug. Have it repaired or replaced, as a failing connection can cause erratic current and, in the worst case, an electrical hazard. Coil the lead loosely when it is stored, and do not tug on it by the cable to unplug it.
A foot pedal normally contains two separate parts: a switch that starts and stops the output, and a potentiometer (variable resistor) that sets the current. Each uses its own pins in the plug, so one can work while the other fails.If the arc starts but the current stays fixed, check that the plug is fully seated and the machine is set to take its current from the remote. If those are right, the current-control part of the pedal, its lead or its plug may be worn or damaged. Check the machine's manual for the pin connections and have a competent person test and repair it.