Greenish Blue Arc - I'm not sure whats going on...

[rkgraphics]

What would cause the arc to turn a greenish blue? It stopped cutting regularly and started sparking and then it turned a greenish blue...? Any suggestions?

[plasmajoe]

Sounds to me that your consumables are burnt up, if you put in new consumables check your gas pressures are set to the amperage you are cutting, and if they are check your gas lines, voltage. The greenish blue hue generally means you blew your electrode and tip.

Plasma Joe

[rkgraphics]

i guess as i was typing that, I kind of answered my own question... I had the consumables in my hand and was ready to clean them when i noticed the electrode ... Thanks though Maybe you can help me with another problem I've been having... Lately it doesn't want to seem to cut very fast if at all... I've tried fiddling with the height, speed, amps, everything... and yet it still seems to not want to cut certain parts...

[BrianMick]

What machine are you running? more info the better these guys and gals have will help answer the question......
Brian

[rkgraphics]

Sorry, currently I have a Hypertherm Powermax30 connected to my Plasmacam.

[jimcolt]

How long have you been running the cosumables? (Electrode, Nozzle)? Green is copper burning.....when the consumables are in good shape the arc burns dead center on the hafnuim (silver colored insert) emitter on te electrode...once the hafnium is used up the arc has no place to go but to the copper part of the electrode....green flames!

Jim Hypertherm

[geo4932]

I have a Hypertherm 30 on my Plasmacam.
Last time that happened to me it was water in the air supply that blew off 1/8" of the electrode. Pretty green flame.

george

[AnotherDano]

I got 'green flamed' yesterday. Changed electrode and tip - plum worn out.
When they go, they go fast.

[jimcolt]

That is why I asked how long he had been using the consumables in the Powermax30. I have talked to quite a few users that have not changed their nozzles or electrodes in that unit for a year! I have one that I use for hand cutting....and it is still on the original electrode after almost 3 years...I have changed the nozzle a few times. Eventually they just plain wear out (hence the word "consumables"!), and the first symptoms are : slower cut speeds, worse edge quality, then the last symptoms are: green flame out the front of the torch!

Jim

[Loyd]

But they're so pretty!!
Loyd