GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The INVERTEC Power Wave power source is a high
performance, digitally controlled inverter welding
power source capable of complex, high-speed wave-
form control. It uses three-phase input power only.
The Power Wave is designed to be used as a synergic
welding system in conjunction with a wire feeder.
SYNERGIC WELDING
The Power Wave system is designed primarily as a
synergic welding system. The word “synergic” comes
from the word “synergism,” which means “two or more
things working together to achieve an effect which nei-
ther can achieve individually.”
The Power Wave and wire feeder operate as a team.
Each “knows” what the other is doing at all times.
They each also know what process, wire type, wire
size, and gas combination are being used. In a syner-
gic system, the wire feeder and power source must
“talk” together. This means that only certain wire feed-
ers can work in a synergic setup. A synergic feeder
has special circuitry to “talk” with and “listen” to the
Power Wave power source.
Welding experts have preprogrammed the system for
the best range of process settings according to wire
type, wire size, and gas combination. When the wire
feed speed is changed, the system automatically
adjusts the current and voltage waveforms to give the
best weld characteristics. This improves the sound-
ness, appearance, and repeatability of welds.
Refer to the Accessories section of this manual for
available wire feeders.
RECOMMENDED PROCESSES
The Power Wave is designed to be used as a multiple
process machine. It comes preprogrammed with
GMAW pulse, GMAW (short arc and spray) FCAW
(Innershield™ and Outershield™), and stick proce-
dures.
OPERATIONAL FEATURES AND
CONTROLS
The Power Wave, through use of a keypad overlay
system, provides various options and controls such as
Multiple Process/Procedure Selection; Memory
Storage of Procedures; Weld from Memory Only oper-
ation; Dual Process/Dual Feeder capability.
DESIGN FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
• Designed to NEMA Standards.
• Multiple process output ranges 5 - 540 amps.
• 2-line LCD display.
• Easy access for input connections. Connections
are simple strip and clamp (no lugs required).
• Modular construction for easy servicing.
• Thermostatically protected.
• Electronic overcurrent protection.
• Overvoltage protection.
• Digital signal processor and microprocessor control.
• RS232 interface for future welding application
updates.
• Simple, reliable reconnection for various input volt-
ages.
• New accessories and wire feeders communicate
using a digital current loop to transfer information.
• Auto device recognition simplifies accessory cable
connections.
• Direct support of two wire feeders.
• Auto-configurable for either metric or English mode.
• Multiprocess control: Stick, short arc, GMAW spray,
GMAW pulse, and flux cored arc welding (FCAW).
• Simple control through use of overlays that limit
access to only those keys required for a given appli-
cation.
WELDING CAPABILITY
The Power Wave 450 is rated at 500 amps, 40 volts at
60% duty cycle based on a ten minute time period. It
is capable of higher duty cycles at lower output cur-
rents. If the duty cycles are exceeded, a thermostat
will shut off the output until the machine cools to a rea-
sonable operating temperature.
LIMITATIONS
• The Power Wave is not recommended for process-
es other than those specified by available overlays.
• The Power Wave is not recommended for pipe
thawing.
OPERATION
B-3
B-3
POWER WAVE 450