welding with a pacemaker?

Welding

by Snowman - 2017-03-15 19:23:50

I like welding and beating on metal too.

I asked Miller about my 211 auto how to adjust amp to be under 160.

You can put an amp meter on the cord and while one is welding you can read the amp meter at different settings.

I think you will also feel the PM kickout or speed up your heart.

But I think it is something you may want to be a little more cautious around than your lawn mower.

Welding with pacemaker

by swines - 2017-03-18 01:01:41

I have an ICD and weld all the time.   If you take some precautions, you should be able to weld without interfering with your pacemaker.   Try not to get between the electrode lead cable and the ground cable.  Think of it this way - the electrode lead is transmitting electromagnetics and the ground cable is receiving it.  If you're between the two - you're in the EMI / RFI field.

Try wrapping the ground lead around the electrode lead and separate them at the work.  This keeps the radio frequency field as small as possible.  Or, route the ground cable as far away from you as possible with the electrode lead on the same side (in front of you) as the ground lead. 

I weld with both MIG and TIG processes.  The TIG is absolutely no problem because of the extremely small arc size.  I have even done some AC and pulsed work with no problems.

With my device, I have done some testing with the MIG and have found that if I keep the amperage under 200 I'm fine.   If I go over 200 I can feel some beat irregularities.

My electrophysiologist has no problem with me welding with two caveats -  first, no stick welding because of the size of the arc and EMI / RFI generated by the larger arc;  second, do not drape either cable over my shoulders as that brings the potential EMI / RFI field too close to the ICD.

Lastly, you really need to stay away from things like pulsed MIG as that puts out an immense EMI / RFI field and can interfere with a pacemaker.  Also, keep at least 5 feet from the power supply while your welding especially with inverter welders as the power supply generates EMI / RFI as part of the arc generation and power supply shielding may not be complete or even very good.

As always - you need to discuss this with your electrophysiology doctor and see what he or she has to say.