What effects the type and amount of welding fume?

Likewise, process and materials apply: The higher the values are for the welding current and welding voltage, the higher is the amount of welding fumes. Type of current: Using alternating current results in higher emissions than DC. The larger the diameter of the electrode used, the higher the amount of welding fumes.

How far should a welding hood be from the source of the fumes?

So, what is the ideal distance between the fume source and the extraction hood? The general rule is to have a distance that is equal to the diameter of the extraction arm. For example, a hood with an eight inch extraction arm should be placed about eight inches away from the extraction source.

What can affect the level of fumes generated?

What are the factors that affect worker exposure to welding fumes?

• Type of welding process.
• Composition of welding rod.
• Filer metals and base metal used.
• Type of coatings present.
• Location (open area or confined space).
• Type of ventilation controls (mechanical or local).

How do I choose a welding fume extractor?

Look for an extractor with heavy-duty stainless steel cabinet construction featuring 100\% welded seams. Welded seams and a durable cabinet will prevent against leaks, and leaks are the enemy of clean air.

Where should a ventilation fume hood be located while welding?

In most cases, the hood will be in the center, left or right of where the welding is occurring. In all cases, the hood should be angled away from the welder to ensure that the smoke and fumes are being drawn away from you as you can see in the image below.

What is overwelding and how does it affect fume?

Overwelding, on the other hand, unnecessarily increases welding fume. As the amount of weld metal increases, the amount of fume also increases. The welding engineer should be aware of the role that weld size plays in the creation of fume. Significant reductions in fume creation can come with a change in the welding process.

What is the best way to extract welding fumes?

Welding fume extraction systems: the most effective way to extract fumes. A welding fume extractor sucks the welding fumes at source using a suction mechanism at the end of its arm. Welding fumes and dust is pulled into the extractor by a fan using negative draft.

How are operators exposed to fume and gases when welding?

Operators are exposed to fume and gases when welding, and exposures vary depending upon the process and specific working conditions. Fabricators are under continual pressure to reduce worker exposure to potentially harmful substances in the workplace, including welding fume.

Is fume control effective for automated welding cells?

However, automated welding cells commonly operate at high duty cycles, and employee exposure to fume must still be evaluated. The one method of fume control effective for almost any welding process is ventilation.