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An arc
An arc can be defined as an electrical
discharge between two electrodes through an
Arc Welding air gap (gas gap).
Because of this potential difference there will
be a motion of charge particles in the air gap.

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An arc
Initially positive ions already existing in the air
(there some positively charged particles and
electrons due cosmic rays from the sun) will
be accelerated in the electrical field to the
cathode and electrons to the anode.
An arc
On the way to the electrodes the charge
particles will be collided with other neutral
atoms and due to high kinetic energy of the
charge particles there will be an ionization of
neutral atoms.

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An arc High Voltage Arc

This ionization produced more ions and
electrons, which will be, propagate as a chain
reaction (Impact Ionization).
Due to this charge particles the air gap acts as
conductor and there will be a current flow
between two electrodes.
The voltage difference between electrodes is
so high that above mentioned phenomena
takes place and the current through the
electrodes is considerably low due to the
deficiency of charge particles of the air gap.
(15000V)

E.g. lightning

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Low Voltage Arc Low Voltage Arc

For a low voltage arc there should
be enough charged particles to
maintain the arc.
This will be realized by initial heating the
electrodes and this heat generates charged
particles in the air gap (Thermal Ionization).
Due the thermal ionization and impact
ionization the amount of charged particles will
be severely increased and the arc will be
stabilized.

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Low Voltage Arc Arc Welding

For welding it is necessary to have high
current arc for the heating of the work piece
and welding rod.
For the safety also it is better to have low
voltage arc (40 V).
In arc welding process the arc is started by
momentarily touching (small duration) the
electrode on the plate and then withdrawing
it to above 3 4 mm from the plate.
(Thermal ionization )

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Arc Welding Process Manual arc welding

Touching the electrodes (work piece and Voltage difference -15V 45V
welding rod) Thermal ionization Temperature - 60000C 70000C (in the arc)
Thermally ionized ions and electrons Current - 20 A 600 A
accelerated towards the electrodes.
Impact ionization
Generates an electric arc (low V, high current)
Generates heat energy
Electrode & metal start to melt
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Transference Of Metal Across The Arc

Gap
Assignment: Find the methods of transferring
melted metal across the arc gap.

Deadline to submit assignment : 28.08.2015

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