What to disconnect and where to find it prior to welding?

[niles500]

*** We weld every day with no problems. Electricity will take the shortest path ***

I will politely disagree;

1. Electricity AWAYS follows the path of LEAST RESISTENCE not necessarily the SHORTEST PATH

2. You have been lucky so far

FWIW

[John316]

I had a buddy that thought the lug nut was a nice convenient place to hook the ground clamp.  Welded fine but when he went to take off, he noticed a little extra to overcome and get the truck rolling. Then mile or so down the road the wheel was flopping.   seems the bearing was the highest resistance in the circuit and welded it self together.


It was a lot funnier listening to him tell it but i hope it helps somebody.

Where is Quantum500, when you need him? I posted a similar story in the thread posted above, and he said that it probably would never happen. Nwbee, thanks for the confirmation .

My point? Do as the others have said and keep the ground really close to where you are welding.

God bless,

John

[Jriddle]

Niles500

1. Thanks for the correction your words are what I was looking for when posting. I'm not saying that you should weld with things hooked up. My point is that one should ground as close to what you are welding when possible.

2. I guess you could call it luck. I call it a necessary part of the job. We have a multi million dollar plant and do not have the luxury of shutting everything down when some portion of the plant needs fixed.

I stand corrected John

[John316]

I stand corrected John

Jrdl,

What does that mean? I didn't know that I corrected you on something. Were you trying to be sarcastic? I am not trying to pick a fight...Just curious.

My point on disconnecting the computers on the bus, was just that doing a little preventative, might save a lot on the wallet. I am not saying that it happens every time, but I sure wouldn't want to spend $$$ on a computer when I could have avoided it, but again that is just my opinion.

JR, I wasn't saying that you were doing something wrong. Just that with a little application, like a bus, it might be best to disconnect what is possible.

God bless,

John

[niles500]

John - He was referring to me (correction is too haarsh a word - sorry if it came off that way) - Jriddle I'm sure you can make an educated guess on where to ground, but some reading the board may not. It's still risky w/o the disconnect - FWIW

If it were my Plant, unless it was a true emergency, I would do maintenance during idle or shutdown (unless your 24/7)

[Jriddle]

Niles500

That is the problem 24/7 365 Something is running.

I here what you are saying. Some may ground to frame when they can ground a foot from where you are welding.

Thanks John

[John316]

Niles,

Good, I didn't know if he was referring to me .

Still, if at all possible, I agree with John (aka Niles500). I also understand there are the commercial places (like Jriddle) that can't shut down to fix something. It is just best to prevent, if at all possible.

God bless,

John

[Jriddle]

John316

I hope all didn't get me wrong I Used the wrong words in one of my post and was glade Niles500 corrected me. If one can unplug things to protect them that is best. My point is you still don't want to take chances by grounding to far away, who knows what you are passing through.

John

[John316]

I got you...Thanks. Good explanation. I just didn't know if I was the "John" that was refereed to. If I was I couldn't figure out what I said . (Can you tell I need help sometimes??? )

God bless,

John

[John316]

John,

I also figured out that you just signed you name at the end. I also figured out that Niles500 isn't John, that you are . I am sorry...I guess I am tired, or is old age setting in? LOL

God bless,

John