Technology

Vocational Livelihood 11
Shielded Metal Arc Welding

Quarter 1
Self-Learning Module 12
TITLE: CORRECT CURRENT
Writer: Antonio F. Quines
Reviewer: Orlando A. Joven Jr (Validator)
Emmanuel B. Penetrante (Technical)
Cerina Galoy (Grammarian)
 EXPECTATIONS

This unit deals with the skills and knowledge involved in Correct Current for welding
operations.

At the end of the lesson you are expected to:

1. enumerate the different Variables to consider in Setting Amperage on Welding

Machines;
3. discuss each of these of these variables in setting amperage on
welding machine; and
2. identify the different amperage setting according to size and type of electrode.

PRETEST

Directions: Match column A with the correct answer on column B, write only the
letter of answer on the blank provided before each number.

A B
____ 1. This refer to the types and thickness of metal. It is A. The Electrode
used to fit up temporarily the two light pieces of metal to be
B. Variables for setting
joined.
amperage
____ 2. The example of these are TIG, MIG, SMAW.
C. Base Material
____ 3. The specific amperage to be used depends primarily
D. Types of Metal
on the type and diameter of the electrode.
E. Welding Process
_____4. Carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.
_____5. Base material, welding process, and electrode.
 RECAP

Identify the following Personal Protective Equipment by writing the name

below the picture. Write your answer on the spaces provided.

1 2 3 4 5

6 7 8 9 10

LESSON

Welding Amperage Selection

Variables to consider in Setting the amperage on a welding machine

Once you determine these three main variables, you can set your welding machine
and start laying a weld bead.

Base Material
Type, and Thickness Both of these areas have a very strong correlation with what
amperage setting needs to be used on the welding machine.

Before even thinking of what amperage to set your welding machine to, you should
ask yourself what type of metal you will be welding.
The main material types which standard welding methodologies can weld together
are typically carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

All three of these material types require different amperage selections on their
respective welding machines. The most notable difference is between the ferrous and
the non-ferrous materials, i.e. steel versus aluminum.

The reason why certain materials require higher or lower amperage settings is based
on the raw material melting point.

Welding Process

The welding processes which we will explore in the context of amperage selection
(Shielded Metal Arc Welding, or SMAW). STICK Welding
Stick welding, has the most significant correlation between weld application and weld
amperage.

there are charts that are guides in the amperage needed for a certain welding
thickness and accompanying stick welding electrode.

If you follow the amperage levels shown on one of these charts, you should be in good
shape. If you need to make minute adjustments to the heat of the weld while “

Pro Tip: A good rule of thumb for setting your stick welder (SMAW) to the approximate
right setting to start off with is the amperage setting should be about the same as the
decimal equivalent of the rod diameter. For example, 3/32” rod diameter would be
(.094) 90 amps, 1/8” rod diameter would be (.125) 125 amps, 5/32” rod diameter
would be (.157) 155 amps. This rule of thumb works for most electrode sizes, and once
you get your arc started and your first weld bead on your part, you can adjust the
settings from there.

The Electrode
The only welding process which has a significant correlation between electrode and
amperage is Stick welding or SMAW.

The specific amperage to be used depends primarily on the type and diameter of the
electrode. For example, an eighth in diameter electrode welds great between 75 and
125 amps. Whereas a 5/32 diameter electrode can weld optimally at up to 220 amps.

The types of electrodes available for stick welding are many, and each of them has
their specific use. For example, electrodes differ from each other due
to thickness of base material being welded.
They also differ due to the position – horizontal, vertical, or overhead. These different
properties are captured in the four to six-digit number printed on every stick
electrode for easy reference. These numbers tell the user which power supply, weld
position, tensile strength, and penetration that electrode was designed for.

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ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY I: Directions: Base on the table above, write the amperage setting of the
following electrode. Write your answer on the spaces provided.

TYPE OF DIAMETER OF AMPERAGE

ELECRODE ELECTRODE RANGE
1. 6013 3/32 in (2.4 mm)
2. 6013 1/8 in (3.2 mm)
3. 6013 5/32 in (4.0 mm)
4. 6010 3/16 in (4.8 mm)
5. 6010 ¼ in (6.4 mm)
6. 6011 5/32 in (4.0 mm)
7. 6011 3/16 in (4.8 mm)
8. 7018 3/32 in (2.4 mm)
9. 7018 1/8 in (3.2 mm)
10. 7018 ¼ in (6.4 mm)
ACTIVITY 2: Directions: Identify if the given phrases is it is a Variable of amperage
setting or not by putting  if it is and  if it is not. Put your answer on the space
provided before the number.

Answer Phrases

1. Base Material

2. Location

3. The Electrode

4. Welding Process

5. Welding Essentials

WRAP-UP

Make a short write up of what you learned to the lesson

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________.

VALUING

Now that you’ve learned the welding Amperage Selection. Write your thoughts
on the importance of the variables in setting amperage before welding operations?
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
 POSTTEST

Direction: Directions: Encircle the letter of the correct answer.

1. The Carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are considered as.

a. Types of metal

b. Types of electrode
c. Any of these
d. None of the above

2. The TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, or GTAW), MIG (Gas Metal Arc Welding, or

GMAW), and Stick (Shielded Metal Arc Welding, or SMAW). Are examples of?

a. Welding Specification

b. Welding Processes

c. Welding selection

d. Welding Essentials

3. Which of the following is refers to the types and thickness of metal used to fit up

temporarily two pieces of light metal to be joined.

a. The Electrode

b. Variables for setting amperage

c. Base Material

d. Types of Metal

4. What is the recommended current setting for a 7018 electrode with a diameter of 3/16

in (4.8 mm)?

a. 210-300 amp

b. 70-140 amp

c. 140-230 amp

d. 230-380 amp

5. What is the recommended current setting for a 6013 electrode with a diameter of 1/8 in

(3.2 mm)?

a. 210-300 amp c. 140-230 amp

b. 100-165 amp d. 230-380 amp

 KEY TO CORRECTION

10. B 5. X
9. A 4. /
8. C 3. /
7. B 2. X
6. A 1. /
POST-TEST ACTIVITY 2

amp 10. 290-440 amp 220-325 5. 5.B

amp 9. 90-185 amp 100-225 4. 4.D
amp 8. 70-140 amp 135-225 3. 3.A
amp 7. 110-225 amp 100-165 2. 2.E
References amp 6. 80-160 amp 75-105 1. 1.C
ACTIVITY 1 PRE TEST

R E F E R E N CE S

Department of Education (2018). Technology & Livelihood Module 1 Learner’s

Material, IA- Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) First Edition,

Department of Education (2008). Competency-based Learning Material (2nd Year),

Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) NC-1, Module 2 Preparing Welding Materials.

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content/uploads/2017/08/20170827Beginner-Welding-Guide.png

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