Patent ID: 7820943
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A welding apparatus comprising: a stick welder; an electrode operationally connected to the stick welder; and a controller disposed in the stick welder and configured to: monitor a voltage output of the stick welder for a defined period of time that begins upon the detection of the short between the electrode and the workpiece; detect whether an arc is created between the electrode and the workpiece before expiration of the defined period of time; upon detection that the arc is not created between the electrode and the workpiece, return the stick welder to the pre-welding state and cause the stick welder to provide the open circuit voltage at a level substantially less than the arc formation voltage; and in response to detection that the arc is created between the electrode and the workpiece, reduce a current capability of the stick welder to a user-desired weld current that has a magnitude less than that present during arc formation.