Patent ID: 7098425

Claim:
A universal wire feeder designed to be connectable to a plurality of different types of power supplies of a plurality of different types of arc welders comprising: a power cable designed to be electrically connectable to said power supply of said arc welder; a welding wire motor designed to feed a consumable welding wire; and, a power conditioner at least partially integrated in said wire feeder and designed to detect a current level, a voltage level and current frequency from said power source of said arc welder used to power said welding wire motor, said power conditioner designed to enable the current level, the voltage level and current frequency to pass through said power conditioner unmodified when said detected current level and voltage level are compatible to properly power said welding wire motor, said power condition designed to cause the required modification of the current level, the voltage level, and current frequency to properly power said welding wire motor when said detected current level, said voltage level, said current frequency, or combinations thereof is incompatible to power said welding wire motor.