7 best welding transformers

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The welding transformer is a traditional equipment for joining steel workpieces by arc welding. Many Russians have a home-made device on the farm, which is created on the basis of a transformer. Such devices have always been distinguished by their heavy weight and bulkiness. At the same time, they are easy to operate, are not afraid of voltage drops in the network, and are sold on the market at an affordable price. Today, manufacturers have managed to reduce the weight of welders, make them more compact and easier to use. To choose a reliable and durable transformer, you should heed the following recommendations of our experts.

How to choose a welding transformer

1. Welding current. One of the main characteristics of a welding transformer is the current strength. The higher the maximum value of the device, the more productive the model will be. To calculate the optimal welding current, you need to use the simplest formula. The thickness of the metal is multiplied by 20 A, and another 30% is added to the resulting value. For example, for welding parts made of steel with a thickness of 5 mm, a transformer with a maximum current of 130 A will be required. When it is necessary to work with thin metal, the welder must set the required minimum current value. For example, for steel with a thickness of 1 mm, only 20 A is required, plus losses in the region of 30% (total 26 A).
2. Duration of inclusion. Welding transformers get very hot during arcing and therefore have a limited operating time. The more powerful the device and the more efficient the cooling system, the higher the duty cycle (duration of inclusion). It is expressed as a percentage, it is not difficult to deal with this indicator. For example, 60% duty cycle indicates that 6 minutes are allowed for 10 minutes. The device only needs 4 minutes to rest. Some budget models have a duty cycle of only 10%.
3. Supply voltage. Welding transformers differ in input voltage. There are models designed only for 380 V, they are used in human professional activities. For household purposes, transformers for a 220 V power grid are required. They are inferior in performance, current strength and other parameters. Universal devices, thanks to the switch, can use both single-phase and three-phase current.
4. Electrode diameter. Each welding transformer has a specific range of electrodes with which a quality weld is obtained. The selection of this parameter must be done taking into account the thickness of the welded metal and its chemical composition. It is closely related to the current indicator. For example, for welding steel parts with a thickness of 1-2 mm, electrodes with a diameter of 1.6 and 2 mm are suitable. But for the formation of an arc with a thinner electrode, 25-50 A is required, and to ignite a 2-mm electrode, 50-70 A is needed. Using a 5 mm electrode, you can weld thick workpieces (4-15 mm), varying the current strength within 150- 280 A.

We have selected the 7 best welding transformers for review. All of them are sold on the Russian market. When determining the places in the rating, the opinion of experts and reviews of domestic welders were taken into account.

Rating of the best welding transformers

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
How to choose a welding transformer	1	Telwin Quality 280 AC / DC	RUB 36 800
	2	Kavik TDM-503 U2	–
	3	ETA TDM-307	RUB 31 270
	4	Telwin Nordika 2160	RUB 13,500
	5	Helvi UTIL 166N	RUB 11,200
	6	Wester ARC 130	RUB 4,999
	7	ZUBR ZTS-250	RUB 4,940

Telwin Quality 280 AC / DC

Rating: 4.9

The universal welding equipment is the Italian Telwin Quality 280 AC / DC transformer. It can operate both from alternating current and from direct current with a mains voltage of 220 or 380 V. The welding process begins at a minimum current of 45 A, which allows the use of thin electrodes. The welder is provided with ample opportunities when choosing electrodes (from 1.6 to 5 mm). It can be alkaline, rutile, cast iron, as well as stainless steel electrodes. The maximum power of the device is 7.2 kW. The experts gave the transformer the first place in our rating.

Domestic welders are satisfied with the performance of the apparatus, assembly quality, and a wide range of applications. The disadvantages include the high price.

Advantages

• versatility;
• high-quality assembly;
• wide range of electrodes;
• high performance.

disadvantages

• high price.

Kavik TDM-503 U2

Rating: 4.8

The maximum welding current of 500 A is provided by the Kavik TDM-503 U2 transformer. It is also the leader among competitors in such an important indicator as power (34.2 kVA). The device operates on a three-phase network, low-carbon and low-alloy steel grades are allowed to weld. It was not possible to bypass the winner of the rating of the model due to its heavy weight (95 kg) and impressive overall dimensions. The manufacturer installed wheels to move heavy equipment. The device is capable of working with electrodes 2-6 mm thick. It uses natural ventilation to cool the transformer, the operating temperature range is wide enough (-45 … + 45 ° С).

Users in reviews praise the welder for its power and performance. The quality of the weld is also satisfactory. The disadvantage of the apparatus is its bulkiness and heavy weight.

Advantages

• high power;
• high current strength;
• reliability;
• high quality seam.

disadvantages

• great weight.

ETA TDM-307

Rating: 4.7

Another heavyweight welder was in the top three of our rating. The ETA TDM-307 model is designed for manual steel welding. Experts appreciated the reliable mechanical regulator of the welding current, its maximum value is limited to 300 A. It is allowed to use electrodes with a thickness of 2-5 mm. The power of the device is 23 kVA, the duration of switching on at maximum load reaches 25%. The transformer is easy to use, thanks to the low configuration of the body, it can be transported in the trunk of cars. Difficulties may arise only with loading and unloading due to the large weight (60 kg).

In the reviews, welders are flattering about the simplicity and reliability of the device. Of the shortcomings, high weight and high price are often mentioned.

Advantages

• high power;
• mechanical current regulator;
• high-quality assembly;
• ease of use.

disadvantages

• high price;
• great weight.

Telwin Nordika 2160

Rating: 4.6

A Telwin Nordika 2160 transformer is suitable for welding with a 220 V connection. The device has a low power (2.5 kW), so its scope is private houses, workshops and garages. The range of welding current is 55-160 A. Stable arc burning is observed with rutile electrodes with a diameter of 2-4 mm. Although the device weighs only 17.4 kg, the manufacturer has equipped it with wheels and a convenient handle for moving. In order for the transformer to serve the owner for a long time, a thermostatic protection is installed in the device. The model ranks fourth in the ranking.

Experts and users alike highly appreciated the Italian build quality and ease of use. The device is reliable and unpretentious. The disadvantages include low power and short wires.

Advantages

• small size;
• ease;
• reliability;
• unpretentiousness.

disadvantages

• short wires;
• low power.

Helvi UTIL 166N

Rating: 4.5

The Helvi UTIL 166N transformer has the smallest minimum welding current (35 A). This Italian device can handle electrodes with a thickness of 1.6 to 3.25 mm. To power the welder, a household power supply is required, the power of the model is 3.2 kVA. The device is designed for installation work, the transformer weighs only 15.8 kg. The manufacturer has installed overheating protection, the metal case is protected from corrosion by a paint-and-lacquer coating. The welder is included in our rating for ease of use and reliability.

Russian welders are satisfied with the portability, lightness and simplicity of the transformer control. Only power is not enough for users, so the scope of the device is limited.

Advantages

• lightness and compactness;
• high-quality manufacturing;
• reliable paintwork;
• insulation class H.

disadvantages

• low power;
• short wires.

Wester ARC 130

Rating: 4.5

The Wester ARC 130 welding transformer is distinguished by its lightness and compactness against the background of competitors. The model weighing 10.6 kg is perfect for welding at height. The device is connected to a 220 V network; a fan is installed inside the case for effective cooling. With a power of 5 kW, the welder has a short on-time (10%). A high-quality seam can be provided by electrodes with a diameter of 2.5-3.2 mm. The experts included the model in our rating for its combination of affordable price and good quality.

Russian consumers in the reviews praise the transformer for its lightness, the ability to work at reduced voltage, and a modern appearance. Professionals only complain about poor performance.

Advantages

• lightness and compactness;
• low price;
• effective cooling;
• stable arc.

disadvantages

• low productivity;
• short duration of inclusion.

ZUBR ZTS-250

Rating: 4.4

The ZUBR ZTS-250 welding transformer is sold at the lowest price on the Russian market. It is this factor that draws attention to the device of potential buyers. Over the past two months, 1,280 people have viewed the product card on YAM. The device has good power (14 kVA) and a decent range of welding current (60-250 A), which allows the use of electrodes with a diameter of 2-5 mm. The weight of the transformer is 24.5 kg, so the manufacturer has equipped his product with wheels and a handle. The experts included the model in our rating for affordability and decent technical characteristics.

Users speak out flatteringly about the reliability and unpretentiousness of the welder. The disadvantages are low-quality assembly and short turn-on time (10%).

Advantages

• low price;
• good power;
• reliable fixation of wires;
• compactness.

disadvantages

• poor quality assembly;
• heats up quickly.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.