As used throughout this manual: Means Attention! Be Alert!
DANGER!
Means immediate hazards which, if not avoided, will result in immediate,
serious personal injury or loss of life.
WARNING!
Means potential hazards which could result in personal injury or loss of
life.
CAUTION!
Means hazards which could result in minor personal injury.
WARNING!
Before use, read and understand the instruction manual
and follow all labels, employer´s safety practices and Safety
Data Sheets (SDSs).
1.2Safety precautions
Users of ESAB equipment have the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that anyone who
works on or near the equipment observes all the relevant safety precautions. Safety
precautions must meet the requirements that apply to this type of equipment. The following
recommendations should be observed in addition to the standard regulations that apply to
the workplace.
All work must be carried out by trained personnel well-acquainted with the operation of the
equipment. Incorrect operation of the equipment may lead to hazardous situations which can
result in injury to the operator and damage to the equipment.
1.Anyone who uses the equipment must be familiar with:
○ its operation
○ location of emergency stops
○ its function
○ relevant safety precautions
○ welding and cutting or other applicable operation of the equipment
2.The operator must ensure that:
○ no unauthorised person is stationed within the working area of the equipment
when it is started up
○ no-one is unprotected when the arc is struck or work is started with the
equipment
3.The workplace must:
○ be suitable for the purpose
○ be free from drafts
4.Personal safety equipment:
○ Always wear recommended personal safety equipment, such as safety glasses,
flame-proof clothing, safety gloves
○ Do not wear loose-fitting items, such as scarves, bracelets, rings, etc., which
could become trapped or cause burns
5.General precautions:
○ Make sure the return cable is connected securely
○ Work on high voltage equipment may only be carried out by a qualified
electrician
○ Appropriate fire extinguishing equipment must be clearly marked and close at
hand
○ Lubrication and maintenance must not be carried out on the equipment during
operation
WARNING!
Arc welding and cutting can be injurious to yourself and others. Take precautions
when welding and cutting.
ELECTRIC SHOCK - Can kill
•Install and ground the unit in accordance with instruction manual.
•Do not touch live electrical parts or electrodes with bare skin, wet gloves or
wet clothing.
•Insulate yourself from work and ground.
•Ensure your working position is safe
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS - Can be dangerous to health
•Welders having pacemakers should consult their physician before welding.
EMF may interfere with some pacemakers.
•Exposure to EMF may have other health effects which are unknown.
•Welders should use the following procedures to minimize exposure to
EMF:
○ Route the electrode and work cables together on the same side of
your body. Secure them with tape when possible. Do not place your
body between the torch and work cables. Never coil the torch or
work cable around your body. Keep welding power source and
cables as far away from your body as possible.
○ Connect the work cable to the workpiece as close as possible to the
area being welded.
FUMES AND GASES - Can be dangerous to health
•Keep your head out of the fumes.
•Use ventilation, extraction at the arc, or both, to take fumes and gases
away from your breathing zone and the general area.
ARC RAYS - Can injure eyes and burn skin
•Protect your eyes and body. Use the correct welding screen and filter lens
and wear protective clothing.
•Protect bystanders with suitable screens or curtains.
0463 607 001
NOISE - Excessive noise can damage hearing
Protect your ears. Use earmuffs or other hearing protection.
•Keep all doors, panels and covers closed and securely in place. Have only
qualified people remove covers for maintenance and troubleshooting as
necessary. Reinstall panels or covers and close doors when service is
finished and before starting engine.
•Stop engine before installing or connecting unit.
•Keep hands, hair, loose clothing and tools away from moving parts.
FIRE HAZARD
•Sparks (spatter) can cause fire. Make sure that there are no inflammable
materials nearby.
•Do not use on closed containers.
MALFUNCTION - Call for expert assistance in the event of malfunction.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS!
CAUTION!
This product is solely intended for arc welding.
WARNING!
Do not use the power source for thawing frozen pipes.
CAUTION!
Class A equipment is not intended for use in residential
locations where the electrical power is provided by the
public low-voltage supply system. There may be potential
difficulties in ensuring electromagnetic compatibility of class
A equipment in those locations, due to conducted as well
as radiated disturbances.
NOTE!
Dispose of electronic equipment at the recycling
facility!
In observance of European Directive 2012/19/EC on Waste
Electrical and Electronic Equipment and its implementation
in accordance with national law, electrical and/or electronic
equipment that has reached the end of its life must be
disposed of at a recycling facility.
As the person responsible for the equipment, it is your
responsibility to obtain information on approved collection
stations.
For further information contact the nearest ESAB dealer.
ESAB has an assortment of welding accessories and personal protection equipment
for purchase. For ordering information contact your local ESAB dealer or visit us on
our website.
The MIG / MAG welding torches of this series are exclusively intended for shielded- arc
welding using inert gas (MIG) or active gas (MAG) for industrial and commercial use by
suitably trained employees. The torches are only available in manual versions.
Recommended gas flow8-12 l/min8-15 l/min8-15 l/min10-20 l/min
Wire diameter0.8-1.0 mm0.8-1.2 mm0.8-1.2 mm1.0-1.6 mm
Operating
-10 °C to 40 °C -10 °C to 40 °C -10 °C to 40 °C -10 °C to 40 °C
temperature**
* The capacity may be reduced up to 30% when pulse welding.
Welding torchOCIM RH302TOCIM RH502TOCIM RM552T
Type of coolingWaterWaterWater
Permitted load at 100% duty cycle*
Carbon dioxide CO
2
350 A500 A550 A
Mixed gas, Ar/CO2M21300 A450 A500 A
Recommended gas flow8-15 l/min10-20 l/min10-20 l/min
Wire diameter0.8-1.2 mm1.0-1.6 mm1.0-1.6 mm
Operating
-10 °C to 40 °C-10 °C to 40 °C-10 °C to 40 °C
temperature**
* The capacity may be reduced up to 30% when pulse welding.
** When using liquid cooled torches in freezing conditions, use an adequate cooling liquid.
Duty cycle
The duty cycle refers to the time as a percentage of a ten-minute period that you can weld at
a certain load without overloading. The duty cycle is valid for 40 °C / 104 °F, or below.
General torch data with reference to IEC/EN 60 974−7
Type of guidance:Manual
Wire type:Standard round wire
Voltage rating:The control circuit and trigger switch are
rated for a voltage of 42 V, max. 1 A
Specifications of the torch cooling circuit (for
liquid cooled torches only):
• minimum flow 1.2 l/min
• min. water pressure: 2.5 bar
• max. water pressure: 3.5 bar
• input temperature: max. 40 °C
• return temperature: max. 60 °C
• cooling capacity: min. 1000 W, up to
2000 W depending on the application
Liquid cooled torches
Return temperatures of more than 60 °C can shorten the lifetime of the torch or cause
damage or destruction of the torch. The cooler must always be filled with sufficient cooling
liquid, refer to the instruction manual for the cooling unit. In case of a high thermal load on
the torch, use a cooler with sufficient capacity. Use only special cooling fluid containing
corrosion inhibitors for welding torches. For suitable products, contact your nearest ESAB
dealer.
The ratings are valid for cable lengths from 3.0 to 5.0 m.
The rated loads refer to a standardized case of use. Under special conditions, e.g. in case of
high heat reflection on the torch, the torch could overheat even when operated below the
rated load. In this case choose a more powerful model or lower the duty cycle.
Conditions of intended use
1.The welding torch should only be used within the above mentioned technical
specifications and for its intended purpose.
2.The type of torch has to be chosen according to the welding application. The required
duty-cycle and load, the type of cooling, guiding method and the wire diameter have to
be considered. If increased requirements exist, for example caused by pre-heated
work pieces, high heat reflection in corners, etc. these must be taken into account by
choosing a welding torch with adequate reserve in rated load.
3.The product must be protected from humidity and moisture during transport, storage
and operation.
General safety regulations for handling the equipment can be found in the "SAFETY"
chapter of this manual. Read it through before you start using the equipment!
CAUTION!
This product is intended for industrial use. In a domestic environment this product
may cause radio interference. It is the user's responsibility to take adequate
precautions.
DANGER!
In the event of an emergency, the power supply must be switched off
immediately. For further action in such circumstances, refer to the intruction
manual for the power source for more information..
The welding torch can be used in any welding position.
Contact with hot items might cause damage to the torch and the cable assembly.
Do not drag the power source using the torch.
Do not pull the cable assembly over sharp edges. Do not bend the cable assembly sharply.
5.1Fitting the liner
Fit the correct wire guide liner for the application, as needed to suit the wire type and
diameter. See chapter "MAINTENANCE" section "Steel liner / Plastic liner".
NOTE!
For information on how to install new liners and about correct assembly
procedure, see the chapter entitled “Maintenance”
Steel liner = for steel wires
Plastic liner = for aluminium, copper, nickel and stainless steel wires
5.2Equipping the torch
The torch must be equipped according to the wire diameter and wire material. Choose the
right liner, contact tip, tip adaptor, gas nozzle and gas diffuser (as applicable). A detailed
overview of the suitable parts is found in the spare parts list for the torch.
Tighten the tip adaptor and the contact tip with an adequate tool.
Make sure that all required parts shown in the spare parts list, e.g. insulators, are installed.
Welding without these items might cause immediate destruction of the torch.
5.3Fitting the central adaptor to the equipment
1.Check that the wire guide liner is fitted correctly.
2.Insert the central plug into the socket on the wire feed unit and secure it by tightening
the adaptor nut firmly by hand.
5.4Connecting the cooling circuit
Connect the water hoses to the cooling unit: blue for water flow forward from the cooler to the
torch; red for heated water flow backwards from the torch to the cooler. Before using a water
cooled torch, the air has to be removed from the cooling circulation by running the cooler for
a few minutes.
Wrongly connected water hoses can cause overheating and damage of the torch
neck and water-power cable. Regularly check the coolant level and throughput on
the cooling unit. Insufficient cooling might cause overheating and damage of the
torch neck and water-power cable.
NOTE!
To achieve an optimal gas- and water flow, place the cable assemblies and the
gas and water hoses as straight as possible. Kinked hoses will cause overheating
and can damage the torch. Protect cables and supply hoses from damage.
5.5Setting the level of shielding gas
Set the quantity of gas required on the gas regulator. The type and quantity of gas to be used
depend on the welding task to be performed.
5.6Checklist
Check the cable assembly before connecting it to the wire feed unit to confirm the wire liner
is suitable for the wire diameter and type.
Check the front end consumable parts on the swan neck, whether the correct contact tip etc.
is being used for the wire diameter and type.
5.7Changing wire
When changing the wire, ensure that the end of the wire is deburred.
Insert the wire into the wire feeding unit in accordance with the operating instructions.
When inserting the wire, press the wire jog button on the wire feed unit.
5.8Starting and stopping the welding process
The wire feeder and the welding process will be started by pulling the torch trigger.
Depending on the configuration of the welding machine, the welding process will be stopped
by either letting go of the trigger or by pulling the trigger a second time. Refer to the intruction
manual for the power source for more information.
DANGER!
The torch head might reach very high temperatures during operation, there is a
risk of severe burns. Let it cool down under observation, there is risk of fire. Do
not place the hot torch on or near heat-sensitive objects. For water cooled
torches, the cooling system should remain switched on for some minutes after
the welding process has been stopped.
When leaving the workplace the system must be secured against unintended
operation, preferably by switching off the power source.
Regular maintenance is important for safe and reliable operation.
Cleaning and replacement of the welding torch’s wear parts should take place at regular
intervals in order to achieve trouble−free wire feed. Blow the wire guide clean regularly and
clean the contact tip.
WARNING!
Before carrying out cleaning, servicing and repair work, the following shutdown
procedure must be followed.
1.Switch off the power supply.
2.Close off the gas supply.
Make sure that the power supply and gas remain turned off all the time while
servicing the equipment.
6.2Cable assembly
Check the torch and cable assembly for damages prior to use. Damages must be repaired by
qualified personnel before further use of the product.
6.3Cleaning the wire feed
Disconnect the torch cable assembly from the equipment and lay it out straight.
Unscrew the nut and pull out the wire guide liner. Remove other parts from the swan neck.
Blow compressed air through the wire conduit from both ends in order to remove wire
shavings.
Insert the liner into the wire conduit and screw the nut back on.
NOTE!
New liners must be cut to the correct length.
6.4Steel liner / Plastic liner
If a wire feeding problem cannot be solved by exchanging the contact tip and cleaning the
wire guide channel, the liner should be replaced.
Liner and welding wire should be inserted while the cable assembly is laid out straight.
Install the collet and the O-ring on the liner,
move it to the right position and fix it with the
sleeve nut of the euro central connector.
Measure the required overlap needed inside
the wire feeder cabinet and cut the liner
accordingly.
6.5Cleaning the swan neck
•Clean the inside of the gas nozzle regularly to remove welding spatter and spray with
ESAB® anti-spatter agent.
•Check the consumables for visible damage and replace if necessary.
6.6Checking the cooling system
Make sure that the cooling liquid is clean, change it if required. Impurities in the cooling liquid
can obstruct the water channels of the torch. Always use suitable cooling fluid for torches
with corrosion inhibitors.
Repair and electrical work should be performed by an authorised ESAB service
technician. Use only ESAB original spare and wear parts.
The OCIM RB25T, OCIM RB28T, OCIM RB36T, OCIM RB40T, OCIM RH302T, OCIM
RH502T and OCIM RM552T are designed and tested in accordance with international and
european standards IEC/EN 60974-7. On completion of service or repair work, it is the
responsibility of the person(s) performing the work to ensure that the product still complies
with the requirements of the above standard.
Spare parts and wear parts can be ordered through your nearest ESAB dealer, see
esab.com. When ordering, please state product type, serial number, designation and spare
part number in accordance with the spare parts list. This facilitates dispatch and ensures
correct delivery.