Suppressing interference from high frequency arc stabilizer

Nov 12, 2005 2 Replies

(Note the added cap)

A cap for one, or better yet a pi filter (Google it), but neither is a particularly good solution when your inverter wants to switch a square output!

But clearly, since the inverter has a low impedance output, it is going to shunt the HF across it anyway (remember the HF start has its own current loop, "starting" at its transformer, going through the torch, work and welder supply transformer before returning). That just leaves the voltage produced between transistor source/emitter and whatever the circuit ground is defined as. If you ground the control circuitry to the inverter transistors, which makes sense, then there's no problem, it all follows the hash with respect to whatever higher plane you're observing form (earth ground?).

Now, if you require the circuits be earthed, and you can't earth the output (which as I recall, your output is floating, and all the better to leave it that way, minus a TVS or so to keep things within limits), you might go with isolation from transistors to control. Optoisolators could do this. Since you require variable frequency (down to ~0Hz), coupling transformers are no good. 10us is fast enough switching time IIRC, so even a relatively shoddy opto would still be suitable here.

Tim

-- Deep Fryer: a very philosophical monk. Website:

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The plan of my welder in its simplest form can be reduced to this:


DC + AC HF HV Xfmr



------> +----------+ ---->---\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/\\/------> TIG torch | | |Inverter | | | DC - | | AC



------> +----------+ ---->-----------------------> work clamp



The purpose of the HF transformer is to create low power, high frequency, high voltage between work and tig torch to initiate the arc.



What I am concerned is whether enough interference would travel back from the HF HV transformer to the inverter, through the power line, that would damage its electronics.



Is that a justified concern?



If so, how I can I protect this inverter?



thanks



i

I see. I would like to find out how to calculate the capacitance.

Yes, that's 100% right that HF has its own path that does not go through the inverter. I was only concerned with small currents (that, at high enough voltage, could destroy the IGBTs).

Well, the control boards that I use to drive gates, have their outputs electrically isolated from inputs (signals, Vg, and Vcc).

That said, I am going to float the control circuit and will not ground it to the equipment ground.

There is already isolation in the boards, either 2.5 or 4k volts. Maybe I am worrying about nothing.

i

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