How to ignite the arc

The arc ignition methods mainly include contact arc ignition and non-contact arc ignition.

1. Contact arc ignition
Contact arc ignition is one of the most commonly used arc ignition methods. After the arc welding power supply is turned on, the electrode (such as welding rod or welding wire) is directly short-circuited with the workpiece, and then quickly pulled apart to ignite the arc. This method is simple to operate and is suitable for most manual welding occasions.

2. Non-contact arc ignition
Non-contact arc ignition is carried out when there is a certain gap between the electrode and the workpiece. The arc is ignited by applying a high voltage to break through the gap. This method is usually used in automatic welding equipment, such as tungsten inert gas welding (TIG welding), to avoid the pollution problems that may be caused by contact arc ignition.

The specific forms of non-contact arc ignition include:
High-frequency and high-voltage arc ignition: Use a high-frequency generator to generate high voltage to break through the air gap between the electrode and the workpiece, thereby initiating an arc.
High-voltage pulse arc ignition: Provide a short high-voltage pulse to break through the gap, thereby initiating an arc.
3. Arc ignition technology under special circumstances
For some specific application scenarios, there are also some special arc ignition technologies and methods:
In the cable fire simulation test, an arc-based fire source was developed to more accurately reflect the characteristics of fault arc ignition.
Using Jacob's ladder arc as the fire source, an arc ignition 110kV voltage level cross-linked polyethylene cable experimental platform was constructed to study the arc characteristics and flame spread process.
For the study of vacuum arc, the relevant parameters of the DC vacuum arc in the arc starting stage were measured, and the ignition process and plasma diffusion process were analyzed.