The Lincoln 140’s duty cycle is 20% @ 90 Amp voltage output.
For a welder that runs on household power of 120 volts that means you’ve decent welding output. And for a reasonable length of time.
This duty cycle means the Lincoln 140 is a strong welder for the price. And golden for a welder that you can run on a normal household power circuit.
You’ll find it’s a welder for light to medium duty welding tasks.
But your Lincoln 140 isn’t built for heavier welding jobs.
Which Lincoln 140 Welders Have This Duty Cycle?
It doesn’t matter if your Lincoln 140 is a:
- Lincoln Weld Pak 140 HD or a
- Lincoln Pro MIG 140 or a
- Lincoln 140 MIG Pak or a
- Lincoln Electric 140 Easy MIG.
They are all the same welder. They have different names because they’re sold under separate brand names. And those brand names are used by the various Lincoln Electric distribution partners.
And this means that all their duty cycles are exactly the same at 20% at 90 Amp.
What Does The Lincoln 140 Duty Cycle Really Mean?
When you’re new to welding. You’ll notice every welder you’re looking to buy shows this thing duty cycle. And a set of numbers.
Is it some weird quiz?
No.
You’ll find that it all makes sense once you understand what this thing called a duty cycle means.
And it’s one of the most important things to know about any welder you’re looking to buy and use.
Why?
It tells you how long you can weld for and at what welding output.
And, it tells you a lot about what your Lincoln 140 welder is capable of.
The duty cycle is a way you can compare the toughness of one welder against another welder.
And specifically your Lincoln 140 welder’s duty cycle tells you how long you can weld. At a certain setting.
Explaining The Lincoln 140 Duty Cycle
And you’ll have the same on the Weld Pak 140 HD and the Pro MIG 140. And the 140 MIG Pak or the Easy MIG 140.
Let’s break the 20% at 90 Amp down.
The first thing for you to know is that your Lincoln’s duty cycle is measured over 10 minutes.
The 20% part of your duty cycle means 20% of 10 minutes.
So when you’re using your Lincoln 140 and welding. Over 10 minutes, you can weld for 2 minutes in total.
Before your Lincoln gets too hot.
Then you’ll need to leave your 140 welder to cool for at least 8 minutes.
That’s the meaning of the 20% bit of the duty cycle.
Let’s look at the @ 90 Amp part.
The 90 Amp part of the duty cycle is the top Amp setting you can run your Lincoln 140 at. For you to get that 2 minutes of welding.
When you run your Lincoln 140 at 90 Amps. You have 2 minutes of continuous welding before you need to rest your welder.
At that point your welder will get hot.
If your Lincoln 140 gets too hot it will cut out. Switch off. Because you’ve triggered its over temperature safety switch. And that will happen if you go over the duty cycle.
Hold On… My Lincoln 140 Can Weld At 140 Amps?
Yes, you’re right.
And when you look across the industry. And look at many welders. You’ll often see this in the duty cycles.
Lincoln Electric is not alone in this.
Welder manufacturers want their welders to look good. And will often quote a duty cycle setting lower than the total welding output of their welder.
But when you run your Lincoln Electric 140 welder at 140 Amp. Its max output. It will get hotter and in a far quicker time.
And that means your welding time will be much shorter.
When Will You Feel The Pinch Of The Duty Cycle?
When your welding jobs at the top end of what your Lincoln 140 is able to do.
Say you have in mind a welding job that’s 1/4 inch steel. Or 5/16ths steel right at the top end of what your Lincoln 140 is able to weld.
You’ll need to think about beveling your joint and making multiple weld passes to weld.
You’ll be turning your Lincoln 140’s dials to its top settings.
And then you’ll have less than 2 minutes continuous welding time with the Lincoln 140. Much less.
But compared to cheaper MIG welders with 10% (1 minute) duty cycles. You’ll get more done on your Lincoln 140. Double the welding.
Don’t Forget The Air Temperature
And its affect on your duty cycle. The duty cycle of your Lincoln 140 will be measured at a certain air temperature. The ambient air temperature.
And if you’re welding at the height of the summer in a humid climate expect your duty cycle times to shorten.
And you should get a little more time in your cold garage in the winter.
When Can You Weld Longer Than Your Lincoln 140’s Duty Cycle?
The other side of the duty cycle coin is when your welding thin mild steel at lower Amps.
Then you’re running your Lincoln 140 at its lowest settings. You’ll find you’re able to weld for longer.
You can weld longer than the 2 minutes the duty cycle says. Because at lower Amp settings your Lincoln 140 will stay cooler for longer.
What Happens When You Go Over Your Lincoln’s Duty Cycle
When you do. Your Lincoln 140 has built in thermal protection.
And this stops you damaging your welder.
Your Lincoln 140 will cut out. And it will reset and you can start welding again once it’s cooled enough.
Though keep the power switch on to your Lincoln 140.
Because your 140 is fan cooled.
Turning off the power will turn your fan off.
Your fan needs to run until your Lincoln 140 welder has cooled to a safe temperature.
Last Words
And now you know what the duty cycle on your Lincoln 140 means.
Your Lincoln 140 has a gutsy duty cycle at 20% at 90 Amp. You’ll get those welds done you thought you’d have to pay someone else to do.
In the duty cycle stakes it’s a honorable level.
You’ll be taking pride in what you can get done with your Lincoln 140.
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