IEC 60974-13-2021 pdf Arc welding equipment – Part 13: Welding current return clamp

5 Tests 5.1 Test conditions All type tests shall be carried out on the same new and completely assembled WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP . All type tests shall be carried out at an ambient air temperature between 1 0 °C and 40 °C. 5.2 Measuring instruments As specified in 5.2 of IEC 60974-1 :201 7. 5.3 Test sequence The type tests given below shall be carried out in the following sequence: a) general visual inspection; b) temperature rise, see 8.1 ; c) RETAINING MEANS , see 9.1 ; d) drop withstand, see 9.4; e) voltage drop, see Clause 7; f) general visual inspection. The other type tests in this document not mentioned above may be carried out in any convenient sequence.
9 Mechanical requirements 9.1 R ETAINING MEANS A WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP shall be designed to maintain sufficient electrical contact in normal service and to prevent the unintentional separation of the WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP as a result of a longitudinal pull. Where springs are incorporated in the WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP , they shall not constitute part of the current path unless they are permanently by-passed by a fixed conductor capable of carrying the test current given in Table 1 . Conformity shall be checked by visual inspection and the following test: A WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP is fitted in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, with a welding cable of maximum cross-sectional area 5 m length and its coupling device. The welding cable is folded to form a bundle not exceeding 0,4 m in length. The clamp is attached to a clean mild steel plate 3 mm thick. The steel plate is positioned such that the cable bundle applies a vertical longitudinal force on the clamp for 1 min. Test is passed if the WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP remains attached to the steel plate. 9.2 Welding cable entry The cable entries of the WELDING CURRENT RETURN CLAMP shall be designed so as to prevent damage to the cable due to flexing. Conformity shall be checked by visual inspection.