摘要 |
Methods and apparatus for initiating an arc (e.g., a welding arc) by placing liquid droplets containing ions in the gap between an electrode and a workpiece. This is done while a potential difference is applied between the electrode and the workpiece. The presence of the ions renders the gap betwee n the electrode and the workpiece more conductive, thereby reducing the voltag e threshold needed to initiate an arc between the electrode and the workpiece. When the voltage threshold reaches the level of the applied potential difference, the arc will be initiated.
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