Tools & Equipment Operation Flashcards
7 cards from real AWS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Tools & Equipment Operation flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a wire feed speed control on a MIG welder?
Answer: To regulate the rate at which electrode wire is fed into the weld pool
Wire feed speed directly controls the amount of filler metal deposited per unit of time, affecting bead size and penetration.
Which type of electrode holder is classified as 'fully insulated'?
Answer: One where all metal parts are covered by insulating material except the jaw contact points
A fully insulated holder has insulation covering all metal surfaces except the jaw contact area, reducing shock hazard.
What does the duty cycle rating on a welding machine indicate?
Answer: The percentage of a 10-minute period the machine can weld at rated output without overheating
Duty cycle defines safe continuous operation time; a 60% duty cycle means 6 minutes on and 4 minutes rest per 10-minute cycle.
On an oxy-fuel cutting torch, the high-pressure oxygen cutting lever controls:
Answer: The flow of pure oxygen that oxidizes the base metal to make the cut
The cutting lever releases a high-velocity stream of pure oxygen that reacts with preheated iron to burn and blow away molten slag.
What is the function of the contactor inside a welding power source?
Answer: To energize the electrode circuit only when the arc is initiated or the gun trigger is pressed
The contactor is a heavy-duty relay that keeps the electrode de-energized until welding begins, improving safety.
When setting up a plasma cutter, the correct gas pressure is most critical because:
Answer: Insufficient pressure causes incomplete piercing and excess dross while excessive pressure can blow out the arc
Pressure must be within the manufacturer's specified range to maintain a stable plasma column and produce clean, dross-free cuts.
A welding cable's ampacity rating must be selected based on:
Answer: The maximum welding current and the duty cycle at which it will operate
Cable ampacity depends on current load and the percentage of time that current flows; undersized cables overheat and become a fire hazard.