Anode fall

The anode fall is the voltage drop directly at the anode when charge carriers hit the surface. In welding, it affects how much the workpiece or electrode heats up thermally. Too high an anode fall can overheat the weld zone and lead to distortion or cracks. In practice, you see the effect mainly in arc stability and heat input. If you have problems with excessive heat or an unstable arc, it can be due to unfavorable settings or worn electrodes. Keep the contact surfaces clean and choose parameters so that the arc burns steadily, then it usually works out.