1
Handling
The Torch
Starting
the Arc
There
is nothing difficult or technical about starting an arc in the proper manner.
We recommend the
particular
procedure out lined briefly below, to ensure maximum protection of the workpiece
from the
atmosphere
at the start of welding operations.
In a.c.
welding, the electrode does not have to touch the workpiece to start the arc.
The superimposed high-
frequency
current jumps the gap between the welding electrode and the workpiece thus establishing
a path
for
the welding current to follow. To strike an arc, first turn on the power supply
and hold the torch in a
horizontal
position about 2 inches above the workpiece or starting block, as shown in Figure
4-1 below.
Then
quickly swing the end of the torch down toward the workpiece, so that the end
of the electrode is about
1/8
inch above the plate. The arc will then strike. This downward motion should
be made rapidly to provide
the
maximum amount of gas protection to the weld zone. Figure 4-2 shows the torch
position at the time the
arc
strikes.
FIG.
4-1 - Torch Position for the Starting
Swing
