Which voltage would maintain the SMAW arc?

Which voltage would maintain the SMAW arc?

• A. 10 volts
• B. 15 volts
• C. 25 volts
• D. 60 volts

Answer: (C)

The arc in SMAW is sustained by a relatively low voltage that keeps the ionized path stable. In practice, SMAW arc voltage sits in a moderate range, roughly 20 to 40 volts, depending on current, electrode size, and arc length. If the voltage is too low, the arc can go out; if it’s too high, the arc becomes unstable and can cause excessive heat or spatter. Twenty-five volts falls right in that usable window, providing enough potential to maintain a steady arc under typical welding conditions without being excessive. The other options sit outside this practical range: voltages like ten or fifteen are usually too low to sustain the arc, and sixty volts is higher than normal for SMAW and can lead to unsafe, unstable operation.

The arc in SMAW is sustained by a relatively low voltage that keeps the ionized path stable. In practice, SMAW arc voltage sits in a moderate range, roughly 20 to 40 volts, depending on current, electrode size, and arc length. If the voltage is too low, the arc can go out; if it’s too high, the arc becomes unstable and can cause excessive heat or spatter.

Twenty-five volts falls right in that usable window, providing enough potential to maintain a steady arc under typical welding conditions without being excessive. The other options sit outside this practical range: voltages like ten or fifteen are usually too low to sustain the arc, and sixty volts is higher than normal for SMAW and can lead to unsafe, unstable operation.