KEVOS® MAKEOS · Fabrication
Welding Arc Energy and Heat Input
What energy per length follows from these arc parameters?
Separate unadjusted arc energy from efficiency-adjusted heat input for a steady arc and supplied travel speed.
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How this tool works
Inputs, units and where to find them
| Input | Unit | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Arc voltage | V | Measured across the arc using a suitable method; supply-terminal voltage may differ. |
| Welding current | A | Measured current for a sufficiently steady arc. Product of averages is not a general pulsed-power measurement. |
| Travel speed | mm/min | Actual travel per minute along the weld. |
| Process energy efficiency | % | Energy efficiency required by the applicable procedure or convention; not deposition efficiency. |
Method and formulas
- Arc power = voltage × current. Arc energy (kJ/mm) = 60 × voltage × current/(1000 × travel in mm/min).
- Adjusted heat input = arc energy × efficiency/100.
- Example: 24 V, 200 A, 300 mm/min gives 4.8 kW and 0.96 kJ/mm arc energy. Supplied 80% efficiency gives 0.768 kJ/mm adjusted heat input.
Limitations
- Pulsed or waveform-controlled welding needs appropriate power integration; multiplying mean current and mean voltage can be wrong.
- Terminology and efficiency conventions differ among standards. Identify whether the requirement concerns arc energy or adjusted heat input.
- No acceptable energy window, preheat, interpass limit or procedure approval is provided.
- Default values are worked examples, not recommended settings or material properties.
Typical uses
- welding energy
- arc energy
- travel speed
Who it is for
- Welding engineers
- Fabrication teams
- Procedure reviewers
What you get
- Steady arc power
- Arc energy per millimetre
- Adjusted heat input
Interpreting the result
- Compare the appropriate quantity with the qualified procedure and applicable standard.
- Record measurement locations, travel method and efficiency source.
References
- TWI: Difference between heat input and arc energy — https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-what-is-the-difference-between-heat-input-and-arc-energy
- TWI: Measurement of arc welding parameters — https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/job-knowledge/measurement-of-arc-welding-parameters-139
- TWI: ISO 15614-1:2017 changes, including waveform energy measurement — https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/faq-whats-new-in-iso-15614-1-2017
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