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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.
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.
