An arc welding apparatus including a first source of electric current able to maintain the arc but unable by itself to initiate the arc, and a separate source of electric current able to apply sufficient voltage to initiate the arc, the first source being connected in parallel with the second source and the arc.
This disclosure relates to an arc welding system primarily intended to replace present systems utilizing an inert gas atmosphere in which the welding takes place. It is proposed to provide a high voltage, low power ignition supply to produce an arc across a spark gap between electrodes and thus provide an ionized atmosphere in which a welding arc may be produced from a low voltage high power main power source. The main power source may include a capacitor which is constantly charged between actuation of the ignition circuit.
