DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A 10KVA MULTI-RANGE ELECTRIC ARC WELDING MACHINE

Abstract

An electric arc welding machine was designed and constructed with a 10kVA, single phase multi-range alternating electric current. The machine was designed, fabricated and tested using locally made materials and tools available in Nigeria. This work was achieved through the design and construction of a core type of power transformer with an aluminum conductor and blast cooling medium, which step down the 230 volts main supply voltage to the appropriate voltage levels of 38 volts, 50 volts, 80 volts and 125 volts respectively. The welding machine on testing has efficiency of 89%, power factor of 71.4 and voltage regulation of 80%. This work will be of good significance to professionals and organizations involved in metal work and can also create job opportunities for our teeming youths if the methods are tremendously followed.