With a constant welding machine, the amperage will increase if the connections at the work or electrode holder are loose.

With a constant welding machine, the amperage will increase if the connections at the work or electrode holder are loose.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not enough information
• D. It depends on the electrode diameter

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that a constant current welding machine aims to keep the electrode current fixed by adjusting voltage as needed. When a work clamp or electrode holder connection is loose, the path has higher resistance. That extra resistance causes a voltage drop and makes it harder for the same current to flow to the arc. The machine may try to raise the voltage to maintain current, but in practice the loose connection prevents delivering more current, and the arc becomes unstable or weaker. So the amperage does not increase; it tends to stay the same or drop, while the connection quality degrades. This is why tight, clean connections are essential for a stable, predictable weld.

The key idea is that a constant current welding machine aims to keep the electrode current fixed by adjusting voltage as needed. When a work clamp or electrode holder connection is loose, the path has higher resistance. That extra resistance causes a voltage drop and makes it harder for the same current to flow to the arc. The machine may try to raise the voltage to maintain current, but in practice the loose connection prevents delivering more current, and the arc becomes unstable or weaker. So the amperage does not increase; it tends to stay the same or drop, while the connection quality degrades. This is why tight, clean connections are essential for a stable, predictable weld.