This is kind of an "off the wall" question.    I have welded, off and on, for years.    Recently, I got an ICD chest device after a heart attack.   They say " don't have MRI, done, or be around large magnetic fields.   They say strong, magnetic fields can turn the device off.  This is a concern.  

 

My question is on cracker box (AC) arc welding. 

 

I think there is one place where you have strong, magnetic fields:    around the transformer windings, when you strike or release an arc.  I can see not being up close to the trasformer, at all.

 

I wonder if there's any strong magnetic fields around where the arc strickes and releases (take the cable some distance away from the machine, and weld a bit remotely).   I'd sure like to know if using the stinger produces any strong, magnetic fields or not. 

You will always have strong EMF's around the welding leads.  I don't know how sensitive that device is, you'll need to discuss that with a specialist on that as to what tollarance it has.  You might be restricted to a 110v wire welder, you don't want to be around a tig with a high freq for sure.

Now this is a subject that could bring down the old wives tales from the trees :rolleyes:  As to what has and does not have a strong magnetic field, I must admit that I live in ignorant bliss!!!!!!!!!!! However our shops are awash with iron particles in one form or another. We therefore surround the vents on our inverters with magnets in plastic bags as I believe that metallic "dust" is not good for circut boards(ask me how I found this out) we also put them under and around grinding machines etc. these bags quickly get covered in metalic dust. In my observation the welder leads(hi/low freq. tig ,arc & mig) seem to be "dust free/not dusty" they do get dirty but don't seem to either atract nor do they seem to repel the metalic dust.

My sugestion however would be to research on the specific device that you have to acertain it's specific achilies heel and the parameters thereof and then get a measuring device to really measure the "field" rather than rely on anecdotal evidence. Don't take chanses,Some Heart attacks have been known to ruin a whole day. :D

 

 

 

 

 

I have noticed the ground cables on my mig machines will move around iron filings that are close to them. Perhaps it's time to brush up on forge welding, rivets and oxy acetylene welding.

Well, I found out I could get material from the guys who made my ICD.   I'll certainly now do this.   I'll come back and post whatever stands out as good advice they give.  Although my welding is for hobby and work projects around the place, it would certainly be disheartening to someone whose done this as main occupation for years.   

 

Ianinsa:   sounds like you maybe had to put new inverter boards in several of your inverters........

 

I can sure see how staying clear of high freq generators (tig welders) would be good.   

Of course the arc will emit a magnetic field, but it's minimal. Arc instability or arc wander is caused by a magnetic field often gets worse welding in corners or or the top portion of a butt weld in the vertical up position ( why we use run off tabs to reduce this). Moving the ground often helps reduce the magnetic field, keep it close to where you're welding.
So in my opinion there couldn't be much of a magnetic field or you wouldn't be able to control the arc, but of course ask your doctor. Safety first!!

As a medic, i know there is a magnet in the Emergency room, not carried in an ambulance, that is reserved for cardiac practicioners use. It is a large donut type magnet we place on the chest of the patient to turn off the pace maker. its the only way to turn them off.  Also short of turning it off, magnetic fields will mess with the operation of the the unit.

 

Short form: talk to your doctors, not faceless people in the internet for exact details of what you may or may not do.

as for your Safety go to your Doctor 1st and foremost  know the type you have and let him know just exactly you want to do . your health is more important then any one here will give you .

 

Sam

Beleave it or not when your using a tig welder you can see there the main cable glow purple where it toches the bench or your body, like one of those plasma globes

 

Electricity will always produce an electromagnetic field but in the form of alternating current (AC) polarity, it's nearly negligible as opposed to direct current (DC). Magnets themselves have a unidirectional pole on them (one side north/one side south). With being a hobbyist welder running a buzz box (AC polarity machine) i would imagine you'd be safe but, then again, I'm not medical personnel. I have, however, witnessed a gentleman's pacemaker "defibrillate " him in the presence of enough florescent lights.... I agree to ask your specialist.

-Hillbilly

During my welding career I have worked on large cold boxes used for extracting industrial gas through the cryogenics processes. These structures were extremely large 12' x 18" x 100' long filled full of aluminum and stainless steel piping and weighed up to 300,000 lbs. Their could be a couple of dozen welders working in side the structure at any given time. The magnetic field was so bad it would cause our watches to run backwards while welding.

There are plenty of ways to work metal without touching a welding lead. Why risk your health over it.