What is the range for PPS of GTAW-P inverter power sources?

• A. 50 to 1000
• B. 0.5 to 500
• C. 0.05 to 0.5
• D. 5 to 50

Answer: (B)

In GTAW-P with an inverter, PPS means pulses per second, the pulse frequency of the welding current. This setting controls how fast the current switches between peak and background during a pulsed weld, which in turn governs heat input, weld pool behavior, and distortion.

The valid range is 0.5 to 500 pulses per second. A lower end around 0.5 Hz produces slow, widely spaced pulses with more time for heat to accumulate between pulses, which increases heat input per cycle and is useful for heavier sections. A higher end up to 500 Hz provides very rapid pulsing, distributing energy quickly and giving finer control over the weld pool, helping to minimize distortion on thin sections and improve bead shape. This broad range reflects the need to tailor heat input for different materials and thicknesses.