The major factor in choosing between an air-cooled or a water-cooled gun is the required:

The major factor in choosing between an air-cooled or a water-cooled gun is the required:

• A. Current/voltage
• B. Duty cycle
• C. Shielding gas
• D. Polarity

Answer: (A)

The amount of heat the gun must dissipate is determined by the welding current (and the arc power that comes with it). Higher current produces more heat, so a water-cooled gun is needed to remove that heat and keep the gun from overheating during long or high-amperage welds. Lower current and shorter welds generate less heat, which air cooling can handle. Shielding gas and polarity don’t change how much heat the gun has to shed, and while duty cycle relates to how long you can weld before overheating, the primary factor driving the cooling method is the current level.

The amount of heat the gun must dissipate is determined by the welding current (and the arc power that comes with it). Higher current produces more heat, so a water-cooled gun is needed to remove that heat and keep the gun from overheating during long or high-amperage welds. Lower current and shorter welds generate less heat, which air cooling can handle.

Shielding gas and polarity don’t change how much heat the gun has to shed, and while duty cycle relates to how long you can weld before overheating, the primary factor driving the cooling method is the current level.