If the amperage is too low during arc welding, what is likely to happen?

When the amperage during arc welding is too low, the most likely outcome is that the arc will not be able to sustain itself. Insufficient amperage can prevent the necessary heat generation required to melt the base materials adequately. As a result, the molten weld pool may not form properly, leading to incomplete fusion between the base metals.

Inadequate heat can also cause the weld to appear narrow and not penetrate sufficiently into the base materials, but it typically results in issues with the arc stability itself. As a welded joint requires a certain amount of heat to maintain the correct size and integrity of the bead, low amperage disrupts this process. This can lead to weak welds or inadequate fusion, which are critical factors in ensuring the structural integrity of the weld.

While an excessive bead can be attributed to high amperage scenarios, low amperage tends to produce poor weld characteristics, primarily reflected by an unstable arc. Therefore, the best consequence of insufficient amperage is an inability to maintain a steady arc during the welding process.