Multiple operator welding apparatus

A welding apparatus comprising;

• a source of electrical power;
• at least one welding electrode electrically connected to the power source for striking an arc between a workpiece and the electrode;
• and
• a welding module electrical circuit interconnecting the at least one welding electrode and the power source, the circuit comprising a plurality of resistors which are selectively connected in the electrical circuit to create an output current of the circuit within a prescribed range, an inductor connected between the power source and the electrode, the inductor being connected in series with some of the plurality of resistors and being connected in parallel with the remainder of the plurality of resistors such that the inductor stabilizes the welding arc for only a portion of the current.

A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;

• a power source;
• a main power frame having at least one receptacle;
• a welding module selectively mounted in a receptacle in the main power frame and electrically connected to the power source, the welding module having an electrical circuit comprising a welding module output terminal for connection to a welding electrode and a welding module input terminal for connection to the power source;
• and
• a dummy drawer received in the receptacle of the main power frame when the welding module is removed therefrom, the dummy drawer occupying the receptacle and comprising a portion of an electrical circuit between the power source and the welding module, the dummy drawer being electrically connected to the power source and the welding module input terminal being electrically connected to the dummy drawer;
• whereby the welding module can be operated while received in the receptacle of the power frame or can removed from the receptacle of the main power frame, replaced with the dummy drawer, and electrically connected to the dummy drawer such that the welding module can be used at a distant location from the main power frame.

A welding apparatus for supplying electrical current to a welding module comprising;

• a power source having at least one transformer to step down an incoming line voltage to an outgoing supply voltage of 60 volts;
• a main power frame;
• a welding module mounted in the frame and electrically connected to the power source to receive the outgoing power source supply voltage of 60 volts, the welding module having an electrical circuit comprising;
• a plurality of resistors mounted therein for altering the outgoing current supplied from the power source to a welding electrode;
• and
• an inductor mounted in series with at least a portion of the resistors to stabilize the welding arc;
• whereby the welding module, despite the low supply voltage of 60 volts, is suitable for use for a wide variety of welding processes including stick arc welding, shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, flux core arc welding, air carbon arc gouging and gas metal arc welding.