pacemaker and mig welders advise said i could but whats your views on it .

• by borderman
• 2017-09-29 07:49:22
• Interferences
• 1826 views
• 3 comments

Hi all i want to buy a mig welder but i been told by the manufacturer of the pacemaker that i can use upto 160amp using precautions and safety must be folllowed 
I just want feedback with people having known or is using welding with a pacemaker to be honest i am ok and nothing else affects it not even mobiles and i have a underlined heart beat so my pacemaker only works when needed . i been looking at the
Clarke MIG102NG 90Amp No Gas MIG Welder
for hobbys and doing welding jobs on my car when it needs doing this welder can weld steel up to 4mm

230V - 50Hz - 1 phase

Min/ max amperage: 35/90A

Open circuit voltage: 20-30V

Max input current: 16A

Max welding thickness (mild steel): 4mm

Welding wire diameter up to 0.9mm

Professional type torch with full on/off control (not permanently live)

Turbo fan cooling for greater efficiency

what steel on cars do you normal use i just bought a inverter welder from Aldi today its up to 140amps I am not confident with this so i might take it back ,anyone offer good advise on this issue .

this is the advise i have been given off the manufacturer but the hospitals tell you not to use them so whos right and whos wrong 

I am emailing in response to the query that you posted on our website.



Please see our recommendations for welding below:



Welding at currents above 160A - For welding currents up to 400 A maintain a 5 foot separation between the components of the welding system and the PM or ICD. If the closer than 5 feet to the welding system components there is the potential for Pacemaker reversion or magnet rate operation or disabling of ICD detection circuit or ICD shock.



Welding at currents less than 160A - The random nature of electromagnetic energy generated during welding makes it difficult to predict the effect on a Medtronic IPG & CRT-P and ICD & CRT-D.

The arc, welding cable, and the welding machine produce and carry the current associated with the welding operation. This current produces the magnetic field that may influence the operation of the implanted device. Any effects caused by welding interference will end when the arc is broken. It is recommended that individuals with Medtronic IPG & CRT-P and ICD & CRT-D avoid welding if possible; however, welding at low currents poses a low risk of affecting either device. Acetylene or other nonelectric welding where suitable will eliminate the risk of interference with the device.



NOTE: There is no apron or vest that will effectively shield the Medtronic IPG & CRT-P and ICD & CRT-D from these magnetic fields generated by the welding.



Physicians who have a patient desiring to weld or who will be in close proximity to a welder should consider the potential effects of inhibition, reversion, and/or triggering of the device on their patient. If an individual, in consultation with their physician, chooses to weld, the following recommendations may reduce the risk of interaction for conventional electric welders. The issuance of these recommendations does not imply endorsement. Rather, it recognizes that patients who do weld can reduce the likeliness of an interaction.



1. Ensure that all items are in good working order and properly grounded.

2. Limit welding currents to less than 160 amps.

3. Work in a dry area with dry gloves and dry shoes.

4. Keep the welding arc a minimum of 2 feet (60 cm) from the device.

5. Connect the ground clamp to the metal as close to the point of welding as possible.

6. Arrange the work so the handle and rod will not contact the metal being welded if they are accidentally dropped.

7. Twist the cables around each other. Route the cables and place the welding machine away from the welder.

8. Do not weld with rapid, repeated, short bursts. Wait a few seconds between each weld. When having difficulty starting a weld on a dirty surface, do not strike the rod in a rapidly repeated manner. Wait several seconds between each attempted strike.

9. Step away from the area if feeling light-headed, dizzy, or if a shock has been delivered.

10. Do not work on a ladder or in a cramped, confined location.

11. Do not work alone. Work only in the presence of a person who understands these recommendations.

I hope this helps and if you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact us or call our helpline on 03301 232112.



Kind Regards,



Daniel Hunter