SHS

TVL – IA (Shielded Metal Arc Welding NC I)

Activity Sheet Quarter 2 – Competency 1.1
Methods of Striking an Arc

REGION VI – WESTERN VISAYAS

TVL - IA (SMAW NC1)
Learning Activity Sheet No. 1
First Edition, 2020

Published in the Philippines

By the Department of Education
Region 6 – Western Visayas

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This Learning Activity Sheet is developed by DepEd Region 6 – Western Visayas.

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transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical without written permission
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Development Team of TVL - IA (SMAW NC1) Activity Sheet

Writer: MERLISA M. PEREQUIN

Editor: ISIDORE E. TAGNIA
Layout Artists: SHIELA MAE M. MANOS, JEWELYN Q. CADIGAL
Division of Kabankalan City Quality Assurance Team:
MARY HELEN M. BOCOL ELVIE R. VERDE
JEWELYN Q. CADIGAL
Division of Kabankalan City Management Team:
PORTIA M. MALLORCA PETER J. GALIMBA
JUNRY M. ESPARAR MARY HELEN M. BOCOL
ELVIE R. VERDE JEWELYN Q. CADIGAL
Regional Management Team:
MA. GEMMA M. LEDESMA
JOSILYN S. SOLANA
ELENA P. GONZAGA
DONALD T. GENINE
APRIL CALIMOSO-VELEZ
GORGONIO A. BATILARAN, JR.
Introductory Message

Welcome to TVL - IA (SMAW NC1) !

The Learning Activity Sheet is a product of the collaborative efforts of the

Schools Division of Kabankalan City and DepEd Regional Office VI - Western
Visayas through the Curriculum and Learning Management Division (CLMD). This is
developed to guide the learning facilitators (teachers, parents and responsible
adults) in helping the learners meet the standards set by the K to 12 Basic Education
Curriculum.

The Learning Activity Sheet is a self-directed instructional material aimed to

guide the learners in accomplishing activities at their own pace and time using the
contextualized resources in the community. This will also assist the learners in
acquiring the lifelong learning skills, knowledge and attitudes for productivity and
employment.

For learning facilitator:

The TVL - IA (SMAW NC1) Activity Sheet will help you facilitate the teaching-
learning activities specified in each Most Essential Learning Competency (MELC)
with minimal or no face-to-face encounter between you and the learner. This will be
made available to the learners with the references/links to ease the independent
learning.

For the learner:

The TVL - IA (SMAW NC1) Activity Sheet is developed to help you continue
learning even if you are not in school. This learning material provides you with
meaningful and engaging activities for independent learning. Being an active learner,
carefully read and understand the instructions then perform the activities and answer
the assessments. This will be returned to your facilitator on the agreed schedule.
 Quarter 2-Week 1

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) No. 1

Name of Learner: __________________________________________________________

Grade and Section: ________________________ Date: __________________________

TVL - IA (SMAW NC1) ACTIVITY SHEET

Methods of Striking an Arc

I. Learning Competency with Code

I.1 Identify the methods of striking an arc. TLE_IAAW9-12LBIIa-e-1

II. Background Information for Learners

STRIKE AN ARC
Shielded Metal Arc Welding is defined as arc welding with covered
electrodes manually controlled by the welder, without automatic or semi- automatic
replacement of electrode. This process uses a length of flux coated electrode which
provided filler metal and atmospheric shielding. The electrode is held by the welder
in an electrode holder with an insulated handle. The holder grips the bare end of the
electrode for good current transfer. The welder strikes and draws an arc which melts
the base metal forming a weld pool at the same time. The tip of the electrode melts
and metal droplets are projected into the weld pool. The chemicals and minerals in
coating, melt and decompose to serve as an alloying element and to form a
protecting gas shield around the arc and weld pool. Furthermore, a slag is formed to
cover the deposited weld.

A welding arc is maintained when the welding current is forced across a gap
between the electrode tip and the base metal. A welder must be able to strike and
establish the correct arc easily and quickly.

There are two general methods of striking the arc:

1. Scratching
2. Tapping

The scratching method is easier for beginners and when using an AC

machine. The electrode is moved across the plate inclined at an angle, as you would
strike a match. As the electrode scratches the plate an arc is struck. When the arc
has formed, withdraw the electrode momentarily to form an excessively long arc,
then return to normal arc length (see figure 1).

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 In the tapping method, the electrode is moved downward to the base metal
in a vertical direction. As soon as it touches the metal it is withdrawn momentarily to
form an excessively long arc, then returned to normal arc length (see figure 2). The
principal difficulty encountered in striking the arc is "freezing," or when the electrode
sticks or fuses to the work. This is caused by the current melting the electrode tip
and sticking it to the cold base metal before it is withdrawn from contact. The extra
highcurrent drawn by the "short circuit" will soon overheat an electrode and melt it or
the flux, unless the circuit is broken. Giving the electrode holder a quick snap
backward from the direction of travel will generally free the electrode. If it does not, it
will be necessary to open the circuit by releasing the electrode from the holder.
Warning: Never remove your face shield from your face if the electrode is frozen.
Free the electrode with the shield in front of your eyes, as it will "flash" when it
comes loose. Tip: Brush your work free of dirt and scale before you strike an arc.
https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-ca/support/welding-howto/Pages/strike-establish-
arc-detail.aspx

SELECTING ELECTRODE

The choice of the right electrode depends on the following factors:

1. Kinds of Base Metal. Electrodes are classified according to the kind of the base
metal for which they are recommended into mild steel low hydrogen, low energy,
cast iron, stainless steel and various non-ferrous electrodes.

2. Types of Welding Equipment. Determine what current is available, as not all

electrodes can be used for both AC or DC current and others are more

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 economical to use with one type of current than the other. It may also be
necessary to check the open circuit voltage of the welding machine to be used for
source electrodes (e.g. basic low hydrogen type) It requires higher open circuit
voltage than other for best performance.

3. Dimension and Design of Parts. Heavy materials of complicated design require

electrodes of high ductility thin plates require low penetration electrodes with
stable arcs at low current values.

4. Joint Preparation and Set up. Deep penetration electrodes are required when
edge is not levelled and fit-up is tight. Mild penetration, thin- coated electrodes
are best when gaps are open.

5. Welding Position. Some electrodes are preferable to others for off- position
welding

6. Specification and Service Condition. Job specifications may indicate class of

electrodes to be used: Otherwise the service requirements (e.g. desired tensile
strength, ductility, corrosion or abrasion resistance, etc.) should be considered

7. Practicability of Heat Treatment. If shop facilities preclude the employment of

pre-heating or post-heating for critical job, the use of low heat input electrodes is
the only recourse.

8. Cost Limits. The choice of expensive electrodes whose qualities or properties

exceed those normally demanded by the job is economically unwise when less
expensive electrodes, just as suitable quality electrodes and win the risk of the
weldment failing in service or having the job redone at additional cost when
dependable brands are in the market.

Common ways of classifying electrode (by the covering on the electrode).

1. Bare-Electrode 3. Flux-Dipped Electrode
2. Dusted Electrode 4. Extended Electrodes and Covering

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 Source: Fusion TECH for Inermediate industries, June 23, 2019

Welding Flux
1. Relationships of arc, base metal, electrode and flux:
a. Arc stream is created by holding an electrode approximately 1/8" (3 mm)
away from the base metal.
b. The arc stream creates a molten pool or crater that tends to flow away
from the arc and cools of solidify as it moves
c. Flux from the electrode covering forms a slag on the top of the weld to
protect it from contaminants during cooling.

2. How flux covered electrode works:

a. flux covered electrode have a core of metal wire with a baked on chemical
covering
b. the wire core melts in the arcs stream and droplets of metal are transferred
across the arc to make the molten puddle and provide the filler metal to fill
the gap or groove between two base metal
c. the flux covering also melts in the arc stream to stabilize the arc to provide
a shield around the arc, to keep it free from atmospheric impurities and to
form slag covering to protect the weld.

Welding Lens Steps in selecting a safe lens shade for shielded metal arc
welding:

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 1. Determine the electrodes size and amperage range because this are used to
dictate the lens protection required.

2. Select lens shade according to the lens manufacturer’s selection chart, but
never select less than a # 8 length shade for shielded metal arc welding.

Note: When you remove your hood after arc welding and you see white spots or
white blotches as after image it means that you are getting much light through the
lens and you should switch to a shade at least at least one number darker, or
check the seal on your lens.

A
rule of

thumb is that the larger the diameter of

the electrodes, the higher the number
required for a lens shade.

III. Accompanying DepEd

Textbook and Educational
Sites (SMAW 12)
Alternative Delivery Mode by Adesas, Aaron A. et.al pp.9-22 of Upper Balulang
Cagayan de Oro City

IV. Activity Proper

Activity

A. SELF-CHECK 1.1 MULTIPLE CHOICE

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Directions: Choose the correct answer from the series given for every item. Write the
letter only. Use a separate answer sheet.

1. What method in striking an arc is recommended for the beginners?

a. Tapping method b. Scratching method c. Any of these d. None of the above

2. In the symbol E-6013; letter “E” stands for:

a. Electric b. Energy c. Electrode d. None of the above

3. Eyes can be protected during welding operations by using:

a. Gloves b. Leggings c. Goggles d. Apron

4. It is done by touching the electrode to the base metal like scratching a match.
a. Tapping Method b. Scratching Method c. All of these d. None of there

5. It is done by moving the electrode downward until it steps to the base metal then
bringing the electrode up slightly to form an arc.
a. Taping Method b. Scratching Method c. All of these d. None of these

Activity
B. SELF-CHECK 1.2 MULTIPLE CHOICE
Directions: Choose the correct answer from the series given for every item. Write the
letter only. Use a separate answer sheet.

1. The coating of electrode is sometimes called:

a. Flux b. Shield c. Covering d. All of these

2. The electrode which has no coating is called:

a. Shielded b. Bare c. Dusted d. Dipped

3. The symbol E-6013;60 means

a. Welding Position c. Power Supply
b. Tensile Strength d. Flux Coating

4. The third digit in the symbol E-6013; 1 stands for

a. Welding Position c. Power Supply
b. Tensile Strength d. Flux Coating

5. The diameter of the electrode to be used in welding operation depends upon the:
a. Thickness of the Base Metal c. Type of Base Metal
b. Welding Position d. None of these

Activity
C. OPERATION SHEET

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 Adapted from LM/ADM of Adesas, Aaron A. et.al, 20-23

Guide Questions

1. What are the differences of the two methods of striking an arc?

2. Is it important for us welders to master the ability to consistently maintain the

five essentials of welding? Why or Why Not?

V. Reflection (Provide reflection on guide questions)

1. What have you learned from this topic?

2. Did you enjoy while learning? Why?

3. If you are going to rate your learnings from 0-5, what should it be? Why?

VI. Answer Key

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Self-Check 1.1 Self-Check 1.2
1. B 1. A
2. C 2. B
3. C 3. B
4. B 4. A
5. A 5. A

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