Electrical Question
I've learned on this forum to plug my extension cord into the trailer before plugging the other end into the wall outlet, like when I'm in my driveway . (to avoid arching) Makes sense, and doing it th...
Forum Discussion
Arcing is much more of a problem when unplugging than when plugging in. The arc will not form when plugging in until the contacts have actually made contact (or very very nearly so) since it's starting from zero current and non-ionized air is a pretty good insulator. When unplugging, particularly with an inductive load, the current doesn't "like" to be broken and so it arcs, and the arcing ionizes the air, and ionized air is a better conductor than non-ionized so the arc continues for a bit as it's unplugged.
A stick welder starts the weld by striking or scratching the rod against the metal to be welded, but then separates them slightly once the arc has started. The arc doesn't start without the strike. While it's not exactly the same situation (the voltage when welding is lower and the current much higher), the same general principles apply.
Even without a load, a modern converter has a pretty substantial but brief inrush current when first plugged in as the capacitors in the switching power supply are charged. There often is a thermistor or other circuit to limit this somewhat, but it's still going to be a pretty decent pulse.
A stick welder starts the weld by striking or scratching the rod against the metal to be welded, but then separates them slightly once the arc has started. The arc doesn't start without the strike. While it's not exactly the same situation (the voltage when welding is lower and the current much higher), the same general principles apply.
Even without a load, a modern converter has a pretty substantial but brief inrush current when first plugged in as the capacitors in the switching power supply are charged. There often is a thermistor or other circuit to limit this somewhat, but it's still going to be a pretty decent pulse.
