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Duty cycle planning

Duty cycle planner

Turn a stated duty cycle into arc-on minutes per 10-minute rating period. This is arithmetic on the seller's claim, not a thermal test, a safety judgment or a statement about any listed machine.

1. The rating the listing states

Use the duty cycle and the amperage the manufacturer states together, for example “60% at 165 A”. A percentage without its amperage is incomplete. These example values are illustrative.

2. The amperage you plan to use

The planner only reports whether this is at or below the rating basis. It does not compute a duty cycle at another amperage; that comes from the manufacturer's chart.

Your result

Arc time per rating period

Enter the stated rating to calculate.

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How to read the result

Duty cycle is conventionally rated over a 10-minute period at a stated output current and ambient temperature. Arc minutes = duty cycle ÷ 100 × 10; rest minutes = 10 − arc minutes; arc minutes per hour = duty cycle ÷ 100 × 60. No conversion constants, temperature corrections or performance assumptions enter this calculation. The result applies only at the amperage the rating was stated at.

For example, 60% at 165 A gives 6 arc minutes per 10 minutes; 40% at 200 A gives 4; 20% at 250 A gives 2. A machine's duty cycle at a lower amperage is usually higher, but only the manufacturer's duty-cycle chart states by how much. Thermal overload protection, ambient temperature, input voltage and extension cords are outside this tool.

Before choosing a machine

  1. Find the duty cycle and its amperage basis in the exact model manual, not only the listing headline.
  2. Check whether the rating differs between input voltages on a dual-voltage machine.
  3. Confirm the plug, circuit and breaker the manual requires with a licensed electrician.
  4. Learn safe operation from the manufacturer manual and qualified instruction; this planner gives none.

Read the duty cycle guide and our research methodology. This calculation does not establish weld quality, thermal behavior or safe operation.

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