What should you periodically clean in FCAW?

• A. The grooves of drive rolls and check for excessive wear
• B. The filler wire spool
• C. The shield gas nozzle
• D. The workpiece surface

Answer: (A)

In FCAW, the wire is fed through drive rolls, so periodically cleaning the grooves and checking for excessive wear keeps the wire gripping firmly. Worn or dirty grooves can cause slipping or unstable feeding, leading to irregular arc length, bird nesting, or premature wire breakage. Keeping these grooves clean and in good condition helps ensure smooth, consistent wire feed and a stable weld.

The filler wire spool is a consumable that’s replaced when empty, not cleaned. The shield gas nozzle can require attention if gas flow is affected, but it isn’t the primary periodic maintenance item. The workpiece surface should be cleaned before welding to improve fusion, not as ongoing periodic cleaning during welding.